It’s 1957 and Rudolf Abel is arrested by the FBI and charged as a Soviet spy. They want him to cooperate, but he doesn’t break. In comes insurance lawyer James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) brought in by his firm and the bar association who ask him to do his civic duty and defend Abel. They don’t even want Donovan to go out of his way to defend Abel, just to create the appearance that he’s getting treated fairly and given his rights. This extends to the judge, opposing prosecuting attorneys, and even his own family. They expect him to fold and let Abel fry, considering nothing but the fact that he’s potentially a spy, and should be sentenced to death.
Donovan fights for Abel not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because he has a bit of foresight. Donovan pleads with the judge not to sentence Abel to death, arguing that he could be very valuable in the event that one of the U.S. soldiers is captured. In comes U.S. pilot Gary Powers, who is shot down while on a mission to take photographs over the Soviet Union. He’s captured, tortured, and in the same position as Rudolf Abel, as Mr. Donovan saw coming.
Donovan is kind, caring everyday man who speaks softly, but carries a big stick with confidence when it comes to his work and duty as an American. He’s willing to work with Abel, never judging him like others do, just treating him as another client that he’s representing. Abel appreciates this, and soon they form a nice rapport, which is built around the repeated classic line “Would it help?” that provides some well needed humor throughout Spielberg/s rather chilly Cold War setting. Both Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance are better than ever, both of which should be favorites come award time, especially Rylance.
Bridge Of Spies has all the makings of a solid Spielberg film, form the script co-written by the Coen brothers and Matt Charman, to the work of cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, who earns his pay right from the get-go, with the incredible opening scene which opens the film in stunning fashion. Spielberg’s team does a great job placing us into the Cold war era, from the old school costume design.
Spielberg isn’t breaking new ground here, but he doesn’t take a misstep, and hits all the right notes with stunning confidence.
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