An American lawyer (Tom Hanks) is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) detained in the Soviet Union. Steven Spielberg and Mark E. Platt produce a film written by Matt Charman as well as Joel and Ethan Coen.
Steven Spielberg can do whatever he wants while succeeding at making a movie. He has spent decades working hard bringing audiences a nice blend between art and entertainment. It is impressive that he directed both Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park the same year! After his classic Lincoln, Spielberg continues to reflect on America’s past to reassure its citizens that our current trials can be overcome. Bridge of Spies is a cold, tense, slow-paced and dialogue heavy historical drama…and I loved every moment of it! This isn’t in a hurry to tell this story and I found that reassuring. The Coen Brother’s interject their snide humor where they can (it isn’t often but it is a welcome sigh of relief that breaks tension in the best way).
Bridge of Spies is a cold, tense, slow-paced and dialogue heavy historical drama…and I loved every moment of it!
What I thought was the strongest element to Bridge of Spies is the direction and the acting. Tom Hanks and Mark Ryland delivered exceptional performances. Ryland as accused Soviet spy Rudolf Abel has this understated, but effective demeanor. He doesn’t have a showy moment, but makes the most of every second of screen time. Like all terrific supporting performances, you want to know what he is up to when he isn’t in a scene. Spielberg is an auteur that still has the movie magic. He has the maturity and talent to make an average in scope movie like Bridge of Spies larger than life and grandiose.
Another thing I valued about Bridge of Spies is the execution of the plot and bringing the story to the screen. There is a haunting scene where Hanks’ character is riding a train crossing the Berlin Wall and only to witness people trying to climb the fence shot to death. An espionage story that is on par with the best of John le Carré’s writings, Bridge of Spies showcases delicate details and characters carefully overcoming the odds in a stressful situation. A lot is on the line and people are living in fear during the Cold War.
Bridge of Spies will no doubt be a hit with older adults that flock to the movie theaters during this time of year. It is Oscar bait conveniently released in the prime of the season, but much more than just that. Bridge of Spies is an incredible movie that sets the correct tone and excels with acting, writing, directing, and While preaching about everyone’s rights with due process and proper use of warrants, Bridge of Spies is brash, old-fashioned American liberalism set in an era and with a reverence to our nation that conservatives can get behind and even consider patriotic. Besides, is there anything more American than Tom Hanks in a Steven Spielberg movie?
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I rate Bridge of Spies - 8/10
8/10
