The Integrity of Sully

During the course of the movie, Sully is often distracted. In those moments, he's searching. Did he do the right thing? Was he ever a legitimate pilot? The movie really is a portrait in the sense that it doesn’t move forward so much as it goes back a lot. It all marks with subtlety that he’s uncertain about what he did-- so much so that he can’t fully grasp yet that he saved 155 lives because he still pictures the horror of the worst scenario. The subtlety is perfect. I emphasize that. I think that’s the aim because even the music in the movie is subtle and effective. Tom Hanks is well-armed for this portrayal and for the tone of the movie. So much of it is wordless and much more was said in the few words given. The common Hollywood clichés that could’ve candy-coated and in effect marred this film are avoided by Todd Komamicki who writes the screenplay like a gifted surgeon. He writes dignity in nuances. That is inspiring work!

    Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III is the airline captain that successfully executed a water landing of his plane in the Hudson River on January 15^th, 2009. All 155 passengers survived. He was- and still is- hailed a hero. Take a look at the trailer.

    I saw the movie for the second time last night. The first time I was near tears, but the second time was like enjoying the company of honorable and good men. I want to talk a little bit about these kinds of men as tends to be my habit on this blog. I don’t think anyone of us-- especially men-- can be honorable and good without God. Sully is a remarkable guy. The kind of genuine character that’s mostly uncommon in our time. I think his personal character was integral to hold through an unprecedented water landing and the ensuing scrutiny and fame that followed. But I can’t give him or the brave people that helped all the credit. It wasn’t called the Miracle on the Hudson for nothing. I think people are more than just enthralled with Sully and what happened. I think they know there’s more to it. It can’t often be spoken aloud in our time without people withdrawing their love. People are so thirsty for this because it indicates something that flies in the face of what they’ve been taught, and what they’ve been discouraged to embrace. It’s pure like a thick gush of cold water on a hot day and it hints at something so much greater and so much more wonderful.  Take the inevitable water-landing scene. I’ve sold tickets to people for this movie. I’ve overheard patrons anxious to catch the water-landing scene. I shake my head at that. It is a great scene—a sharply executed scene and no movie about Chesley Sullenberger would be complete without it— but this movie was more than a cinematic water landing. In fact, in that particular scene, the overwhelming outreach of gracious rescuers played by actors perfectly casted is a near-tears moment. That moment in particular is the gathering of the Coast Guard at the downed, floating plane, watching, as the passengers standing on the wings with 30 below waters lapping at their ankles are pulled up. The accents. The air of tough New York pulling together with rough hands and heavy pats for the sake of people in need. It was the best of what New York is and can be. There was nothing gratuitous in its presentation. There really is no justification to deny that God was not orchestrating the entire rescue on January 15^th, 2009.  

    In our day and age you can’t talk about truth without that “inner guard” that expects someone to dismiss what I’ve said as mere religion.

From left, Tom Hanks and the real Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III

    I’m more involved with the character of the man in the movie. Character is not our strong suit in this city. Character is not pursued or coveted. You get your degrees, your knowledge and your references; you get a job and you just wing it. You flatter. You smile. You’re relieved to still go home a thief. But character comes with practice, learning to say no for the right reasons. Character is seasoned; it has a wonderful fragrance. It effortlessly increases the timbre of your voice. It makes you truly unique. Whether people want to admit it or not, what Sully did was borne out of a certain character. People gravitate to it because it is so palatable. It is refreshing. It is agreeable. That’s not by accident. What we do and what we say is genuine consumption for all of those people around us. No word we say returns to us void. Nothing we do is throw-away. Only very accomplished foolish people believe otherwise.

    Imagine a parallel situation where the stakes are high. Put in today’s average 20 or 30 something. Very likely then some lives might be lost. The attitude is a hyper self-entitlement and loose morals. Fame might be indulged. Movie opportunities. Magazine cover: face swollen with false humility. Or imagine the same perilous situation with a 40 year old teenager. I’m not trying to be mean. I’m trying to illustrate how far we are in terms of integrity, consideration and God.

    According to his Wikipedia entry, Captain Sullenberger was an active member of the Methodist church. I don’t know how accurate that is or what Sully’s view of Christ is today. But if it’s true, then it tells me a little something more.

    Sully is a welcome change of pace about the kind of hero that doesn’t seem to know that he is one. I have superhero fatigue. In the last 8 months I have gorged myself on nearly every DC and Marvel live action property from the cinema to Netflix.  This was such a blessing to watch. It was true heroism.

    Sully is a great example of what manhood should be like. No matter what age you are. You don't have to be a pilot to exhibit that manhood. You can do that by being a husband, a father or a man who demonstrates right conduct at home or at work. Christ will always be the ultimate example of manhood.