Bridge of Spies

By: Lisa Steinberg

Tom Hanks transcends and transforms in this tale of espionage and country.

Hanks stars as James Donovan, an attorney who works mostly insurance claims. He is tasked with representing and defending a captured Russian spy named Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), something no one at that time would want to do as they would be ostracized. James is reluctant, but his boss is insistent – just go through the motions and both the case and the conviction should be easy. Donovan develops a friendship with Abel and vows to do his best throughout the trial, even though the judge already seems to have made his ruling against Abel. Donovan files objections and motions and they are all denied. Abel ends up becoming convicted as a spy and the country expects him to be sentenced to death. Smooth talking Donovan though is able to convince the judge that it would be in the country’s best interest not to condemn him to death, just in case anyone from the US ever gets captured and we need a bargaining tool.

That’s exactly what happens. The US has been training pilots for a secret mission that would have them flying high above Russian air space to take extremely in depth and magnified photos. If by chance the pilots are spotted, there is a specific detonator on the plane that would destruct everything.  During his mission, pilot Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) is spotted and his plane is shot down. Unfortunately, there is a complication and Powers can’t get to the destruct button and ends up caught. He then finds convicted himself by the Russians and sentenced to imprisonment.

Donovan is now tasked with negotiating a trade of Abel for Powers, but everything has to be covert and no one can know. He has to travel during the Cold War to Berlin where there is unrest and put his own life in danger to save Powers. All of this must be done to make sure any and all US secrets are secure. Once in Berlin, it seems Donovan may be in over his head, even with the low key assistance from the CIA. Donovan takes gambles and witnesses first hand the hardships of war all along the way never unwavering from his undertaking. Even with the surprise that there is now an American Economics college student Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers) who has been captured, it doesn’t detour Donovan from going big and not coming home empty handed.  He takes it upon himself to change his objective; it’s now Abel for both Powers and Pryor.

Hanks gives a stirring performance and gives punch after punch. His character is in a hard position, but you root for him through and through to help not just his country, but this amiable old man who happens to be a spy. One of the standouts of the film is how Donovan continues to ask Abel if he’s worried and Abel always replies, “Would it help?” Loyalties are questioned and families and limits are tested. Bridge of Spies is a gripping film whose gritty cinematography is just as chilling as the story itself. Director Steven Spielberg speaks volumes with both the incredible scenery and steely subject matter.

Head to the movie theatre to catch Hanks in one of his best and most compelling performances. Bridge of Spies is rated PG-13.