In the new Steven Spielberg drama Bridge of Spies, James Donovan (Tom Hanks) is a simple insurance lawyer in Brooklyn during the Cold War. When the law firm at which he is a partner decides to represent a man accused of spying in America for the Soviet Union, he has the case dropped in his lap and is told to show America he has a defense, even when no one wants his defendant to have a chance. It’s this work that leads Donovan to even more intricate negotiations as he attempts to free a captured United States pilot.
While representing the alleged spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), Donovan finds himself and his family at the center of a nasty situation. Donovan believes in working as hard as he can within the system for any client, regardless of his personal feelings. But everyone from the judge to the jury to individual citizens has opinions of Donovan, and they aren’t positive.
The government takes a liking to Donovan and his belief in the rule of law — so much so that they enlist the wild card to help with a prisoner exchange. Negotiating with the Russians in East Germany is his next challenge, and the United States can deny any affiliation with Donovan, even if it puts him in a delicate personal scenario. Is this new task more than Donovan can handle?
Director Steven Spielberg hits a home run with Bridge of Spies. This Tom Hanks vehicle reveals all the intensity of the Cold War within an extremely personal story. Basing the film on true events, Spielberg delivers a monumentally beautiful movie with a pace that keeps viewers engaged throughout the 2-hour-and-20-minute endeavor.
The quiet strength Hanks displays in his portrayal of Donovan envelops viewers. We feel his torment at the turmoil his family experiences and live his determination to do right by his clients. I believed
Hanks’ every moment onscreen, and that is what happens whenever he steps in front of the camera.
Rylance gives us a worthy onscreen partner for Hanks. As Abel, Rylance is the epitome of what we believe a Soviet spy would be. He is constantly calm, cool and stoic in his ability to simply stay firm in his belief. His performance makes you despise him being a spy, while admiring his unwavering resolve.
Though Bridge of Spies transports us to an era seemingly separated from modern times by a giant chasm, it gives us a look into the machinations behind the headlines we still see today. It reminds us that regular people can make a difference, and that a resolve, coupled with endless amounts of patience, can go a long way in making the world a better place. By all accounts James Donovan was an ordinary man, making an extraordinary difference.
Bridge of Spies
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan
Director: Steven Spielberg
Grade: A