Bridge of Spies (2015)

“We have to have the conversations our governments can’t. ” – James Donovan

Number of Times Seen – 1 (22 Dec 2015)

Brief Synopsis – A successful lawyer is asked to defend a suspected Russian Spy at the height of The Cold War.

My Take on it – Whenevere Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks get together, you know that you are in for a treat and this movie is no exception to that rule.

I’m a little surprised that this movie didn’t receive all of the attention that it deserves and base don what I’ve read this is one of Spielberg biggest financial disappointments since Munich (2005) ten years ago.

Hanks is really perfect in the lead role and once again shows us why we all have loved his performances for years.  He is calm, cool and collected and gets his job done.

The rest of the supporting cast is also great but the biggest surprise here is probably Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel.  We now can see how excellent and actor he is and he is well deserving of all of the awards and nominations that he has recieved for playing this complex character.

Once again, Spielberg is able to transport us to a different time and place and make us believe that we are there with the characters.

The tension is high throughout and it’s easy to be on the edge of your seat for many pivotal scenes.

In addition to being an excellent but subdued spy thriller, this movie has superb messages related to patriotism, fairness, honor and integrity strewn throughout.

This is one of the best of 2015 and I can’t wiat to see this movie numerous times in order to try and absorb everything it has to offer us.

Bottom Line – Such a great underrated film. Hanks is perfect in the lead role and Rylance shows how great an actor he is as Able.  Spielberg once again does a wonderful job of transporting us to another time and place and knows how to keep the tension high throughout.  The messages about patriotism, fairness, honor and integrity shine through over and over. This is one I’m gonna have to see numerous times because it is so brilliant. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – According to Steven Spielberg in a press release for the movie, Gregory Peck came after the story in 1965. Alec Guinness agreed to play Abel, Gregory Peck would play Donovan, and Stirling Silliphant would write the script. MGM declined to make the movie at the time. It was 1965, Cold War tensions were high with Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis, and MGM was reluctant to get into the politics of the story. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy

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