Bridge of Spies

"Aren't you worried?"

"Would it help?"

In 1957, Rudolf Abel (Rylance) is arrested as a Soviet spy.  The U.S. government asks insurance lawyer James Donovan (Hanks) to serve as his lawyer, to show the Soviet Union that Abel received a good defense.  Donovan agrees to take the case, and sets out to provide the best defense he can for Abel.  His wife Mary (Ryan) and children (Eve Hewson, Noah Schnapp, and Jillian Lebling) don't understand why he takes the case and why he puts in such effort.

Abel is convicted, but sentenced to 30 years in prison.  Meanwhile, Francis Gary Powers (Stowell) is recruited by the CIA to fly a U-2 spy plane.  He is shot down and captured by the Soviet Union.  Donovan is asked to facilitate a prisoner exchange: Abel for Powers.  He is sent to Germany, as a private citizen, to meet with Soviet leaders in East Germany to negotiate the exchange.  Will he be successful?


The story is based on actual events.  In 1964, James Donovan wrote about the experience in the book "Strangers on a Bridge: The Case of Colonel Abel and Francis Gary Powers."  A few years later, Gregory Peck wanted to make a film of the story, but Cold War tensions and politics prevented it.

This film, with a screenplay by Matt Charman and Joel & Ethan Coen, makes a few departures from the actual events.  These departures don't detract from the story.  It is an espionage thriller that keeps you guessing, even with it's 2+ hour running time (which never seems to drag).

As usual, Tom Hanks is an excellent leading man.  He is the everyman who is faced with difficult choices, and regularly rises above what is expected of him.  Matching Hanks is Mark Rylance (who is nominated for an Oscar for this film) as Rudolf Abel.  It is a subtle performance with touches of humor.  Rylance is best known for his stage roles.  The rest of cast are excellent as well.

It is another great film by director Steven Spielberg.  Every decision makes sense and works well together to bring a compelling and suspenseful portrait of an ordinary man.  The film is nominated for 6 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (for Mark Rylance), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Sound Mixing.  It isn't as flashy as some of Spielberg's films, but it is still worth checking out.

Bridge of Spies (2015) 142 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some violence and brief strong language
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks as James B. Donovan
Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel
Scott Shepherd as Hoffman
Amy Ryan as Mary McKenna Donovan
Sebastian Koch as Wolfgang Vogel
Alan Alda as Thomas Watters
Austin Stowell as Francis Gary Powers
Billy Magnussen as Doug Forrester
Will Rogers as Frederic Pryor