2015 | Dir. Stephen Spielberg | 141 Minutes
"We have to have the conversations our governments can't."
In 1957, New York insurance lawyer James B. Donovan is tasked with defending alleged Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in a fair trial. Amidst disdain from the American public and death threats directed at him and his family, Donovan manages to help Abel dodge the death penalty, arguing that Abel may prove to be a valuable bargaining chip with the Soviet Union. When a US Air Force pilot is captured by Soviet troops and an American student is imprisoned in East Berlin, Donovan is called upon to negotiate a hostage exchange in Germany but the deal he has in mind is one that his CIA handlers, the Soviet Union, and East Germany do not expect.
Bridge of Spies is ultimately another successful collaboration between director Steven Spielberg and star Tom Hanks. However, the narrative noticeably loses momentum between Abel's extended trial and Donovan's journey to Berlin. The screenplay, credited to Matt Charman and master filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, is sharp and precise but somewhat lacking in style.
The film's biggest strength lies in the human story at its heart. Donovan is portrayed as a straight-laced decent human being demonstrating strong moral fiber and standing by his convictions even while stranded in hostile territory on a mission not of his choosing. The picture is at its most captivating during its second half as the tension steadily builds through Donovan's increasingly contentious dealings with Soviet and East German officials leading up to the historical trade on the Glienicke Bridge. Also during the second half of the film, Spielberg's truly demonstrates his craftsmanship as a director. In a short organically staged sequence, Spielberg shows the construction of the Berlin Wall and the immediate horror experienced by German citizens trapped behind the east side of the wall.
Tom Hanks is the perfect as the relatable and likable everyman though, perhaps appropriately, he turns in one of his most stoic and subdued film performances as Donovan. As Abel, Mark Rylance demonstrates a controlled and confident intelligence, though the best of his performance is mostly confined to the first half of film, most notably in the film's opening moments. Another notable performance is provided by Amy Ryan in a small but vital role as Donovan's weary wife.
While it is a good film based on true history, Bridge of Spies just falls short of being a classic, offering little to set it apart from other espionage films. It isn't one of Spielberg's best, but it is certainly a solid addition to his legendary filmography.
FRAGMENTS
- This is the first Steven Spielberg film not to be scored by regular collaborator John Williams since 1985's The Color Purple
- Francis Gary Powers, the USAF spy plane pilot captured by the Soviets, is played by Austin Stowell who had a small role in 2014's Whiplash as backup drummer Ryan "Johnny Utah" Connolly
- Great to see Jesse Plemons in a minor role as a US Airman
007 CONNECTIONS
- Mikhail Gorevoy (Vladimir Popov in Die Another Day)
