Bridge of Spies begins slowly but picks up speed as the story unfolds. Pardon the winter analogy in our always summer town, but the film’s pace is comparable to a snowball growing and growing as it progresses until it is full force forward at the end. Less a movie about spy tactics (as one would assume) and more of a John Grisham-like lawyer story, the movie is intriguing. Not once are you sure if you are going to see an ending that you like or despise.
Tom Hanks plays James B. Donovan in this story based on true events. James is a family man and an American lawyer who is assigned the role to defend America’s most hated man. Although he does not want the case originally, he channels his inner Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) and does his best to defend Rudolf Abel (played by Mark Rylance), a Russian spy.
Hanks does an extraordinary job in this role, however, Rylance matches his performance with the same amount of sincerity but in a quieter demeanor. Rylance proves that it is not the amount of words you speak that will get a point across, but how meaningful they are. Moviegoer Billy, enjoyed Rylance’s performance best — especially when, in response to being asked if he is worried, Rylance responds, “Would it help?”
This film, set in the time era of the Cold War, is long, but is definitely not to be missed. You find yourself rooting for different characters, on the edge of your seat, and crossing your fingers that Hanks can pull off some sort of miracle in a typical Spielberg drama.
(Mark Rylance L, Tom Hanks R)
Bridge of Spies
Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, and Victor Verhaeghe.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Run Time: 2 hr. 21 min.Rating: PG-13
