Rating of
3/4
The Cold War Heats Up
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/02/16
There is no doubt that The Cold War created some of the most tense moments in modern history. Steven Spielberg takes one of these moments and gives us a close look inside, especially in the men involved. Tom Hanks makes an excellent choice as the lead, insurance lawyer James B. Donovan, who finds himself defending a potential Russian spy and then in the middle of a prisoner exchange with big stakes on both sides.
Now, you should know that Bridge of Spies is more of a historical drama than anything else. There are a lot of long talks, a lot of tense moments and plenty of exposition to go along with it. That's not to say the movie isn't exciting - it's just more the thrill of the impact of words and ideals - not explosions and bullets. Hanks does an excellent job of portraying Donovan as a man who will stand for what he believes in - even if it's making sure an all-but-confirmed spy gets a fair trial. Even when the chips are all stacked against him, he never backs down - weary as it makes him.
From the courtroom to the cold streets of Germany - the film also makes use of each an every location. They capture that feel of the 60s, from the "Duck and Cover" videos to the wall going up between East and West Germany so that you really get an idea for how people had to live in these times. While I'm sure the story gets embellished (what based on a true story film doesn't?) - I think Spielberg is more aware than most directors how to get a historical film as accurate as possible.
The best moments are the one-on-one conversations. Hanks and Mark Rylance (who plays spy Rudolf Abel) have some great moments together, as does Hanks and Sebastian Koch (playing Wolfgang Vogel). It's these moments, plus showcase moments like arguing before the Supreme Court or a tense family dinner, that all bring the film together. It's a truly great display of acting talent.
The main issue is that for all the talent on display, Bridge of Spies does tend to drag a bit (especially during the opening). The whole U-2 training vs. Abel Trial that goes back and forth eventually comes to fruition during the big exchange, but its also a bit jarring and disjointed up until that point. But if you can stick with it, Bridge of Spies is an excellent period drama that shows just how intense the Cold War really was - no matter what side of the world you happened to live on.
