Bridge of Spies Movie Review

Bridge of Spies (2015)

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Written by: Matt Charman (written by) and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen (written by)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
James Donovan is tasked with defending Russian spy Rudolph Abel, which later puts him in the position to negotiate a prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.

Verdict
This is a well made movie with excellent dialog and characters. The subject is interesting, but the writing elevates the film and the acting rises to the task. A lawyer undertakes an unenviable task, as we explore the justice system
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Review
You know going in this is a spy movie, and it starts with intrigue and people being followed. There's even a note hidden in a nickel.

All of the details fall into place. The production looks great with the sets and furniture achieving period accuracy. Slick editing transitions the scenes, focusing on similar movements like children rising for the pledge and the courtroom rising for the judge.

James Donovan's (Tom Hanks) first scene displays how skilled and particular he is as a lawyer. It's the script more than Hanks, but Hanks always sells it well. I'm sure a lot of the dialog is the Coen brothers.
Donovan is roped into defending a Soviet spy. He realizes he'll be reviled, but he has no choice.

Donovan questions why Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance) isn't more worried about the consequences faced. Abel responds with a reoccurring phrase, "Would it help?" Abel is surprisingly cool throughout the proceedings.

Bridge of Spies -A well executed movie.

As Donovan is riding in the train car, fellow passengers eye him with disgust because he represents a spy, recognizing him from the newspaper. What he's doing isn't easy. You get the public's blood thirst, but you also understand that Donovan does his job and does it right. People don't see a human being they see an evil Russian.

His opposition are cowards, even shooting at his house. Justice and impartiality are only warranted when it's for yourself or someone you know. People could care less for justice if they assume guilt or deign it for peace or the good of the nation.

The stakes become dynamic when a spy plane flown by an American is captured by the Soviets. Donovan is drafted to facilitate the exchange of Abel for the American. He plays both sides, trying to save as many lives as possible.

The dialog and the occurence of Abel's phrase, "Does it matter." highlights what propels this movie. The characters are well developed.

Seeing this on the heels of In the Heart of the Sea, the script is the difference. This has strong characters and dialog, both sorely lacking from In the Heart of the Sea. A movie won't excel on big set pieces alone. There has to be a human connection.

Rylance excels in an understated role. I don't recall seeing him in anything else, so I have no basis for comparison. It's not as innovative or attention grabbing as some of the top movies from 2015, but it is a solid and safe movie that's well made.

The movie has a few call backs to the beginning that are fantastic. Donovan goes from scored to vindicated. It's all about perception. You have to live knowing what you did.