Bridge of Spies marks the fourth time Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have collaborated together and while this film doesn’t quite live up to what they’ve done in the past, it still remains a solid, honorable effort.
Inspired by true events, Hanks plays James Donovan, an insurance lawyer asked by his partners at his firm to represent Russian spy Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance). Abel agrees for Donovan’s representation, but he refuses to cooperate with the U.S. government or even admit his guilt.
Meanwhile, over in the Soviet Union, pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) is shot down and captured for interrogation. In addition to Powers, an economics major named Frederic Pryor is also captured and held as a spy.
Donovan’s plan is a two-for-one deal after hearing this matter. His involvement in this case leads for little support and zero popularity from his own country, but he remains steadfast in his relentless pursuit of justice.
Even with a strong running time of 141 minutes and a script co-written by Joel and Ethan Coen, Bridge of Spies certainly supplies the subject and only about half of the emotional gravity necessary. Hanks’ character does a lot in the film, but somehow, the rest of the movie is satiated in being bogged down in too much politics and certainly being too talky throughout.
From Schindler’s List to Saving Private Ryan and even in some of his more recent efforts like Munich or Lincoln, Spielberg’s commitment to authenticity and attention to detail are once again on full display here, but this is not one of his best films. It may get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, but it definitely won’t win.
Hanks is truly the anchor of this film in terms of the actors, but the supporting cast is decent as well. It’s only ashame that the material is content on being mostly formulaic and not really all that thrilling or suspenseful.
Having said that, I did enjoy it mainly for Spielberg’s direction and Hanks’ conviction. He’s also able to generate sympathy just with his very presence. Here’s hoping the next film between these two icons will be in the upper echelon of their respected filmographies.
Grade: B+
(Rated PG-13 for some violence and brief strong language.)
