Bridge of Spies

Parental Rating: PG-13

Contains: Language    Violence    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens October 16, 2015

Runs 141 minutes

James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) is a lawyer recruited by the government to defend Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a Russian spy arrested in the United States. It is 1957 and the Cold War is in full swing. No one really wants to defend Abel, but Donovan's innate sense of fairness and justice lead him to take this case and do his very best to see that Abel gets a fair trial. Once the trial is over, Donovan is once again called upon by the government for help. This time the C.I.A. enlists his help in a prisoner swap. Frances G. Powers (Austin Stowell), a U-2 spy plane pilot has been shot down during a mission and is being held by the Russians. In order to get Powers back, it is agreed that Abel will be swapped for Powers and Donovan will be the go-between.  Another player, Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers) a U.S student studying in Berlin, is thrown into the equation and Donovan must now deal with both the Russians and the Germans. On a dark night in the middle of a snowy bridge, everyone holds their breath as they wait to see if the swap can be pulled off without a hitch.

This is a fantastic movie. It takes us back to a more civilized time. It is filmed in color and grainy black and white which gives it that throwback feel. Tom Hanks is great in his role. He believes in the law of the land - the Constitution and he performs his duty to the very best of his ability. Mark Rylance is so good. He just disappears into his character. He doesn't really show his feelings but you can tell that he likes and respects Tom Hanks character. They might even be friends under different circumstamces. There is plenty of tension. And, since it is a true story, you can feel the urgentness and gravity of the situation. It makes you stop and think about the world we live in now as compared to then. Not everything has changed for the better. A great movie. Go see it.

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