Movie: Bridge of Spies
Direction: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda
Music Director: Thomas Newman
Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński
Editor: Michael Kahn
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Rating: ∗∗∗∗½
What is it about: It’s a Hollywood espionage thriller directed by Steven Speilberg starring Tom Hanks. It’s set in the back drop of 1957 cold war, where a KGB spy Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance) gets arrested by FBI agents, with the evidence recovered from his rented apartment, he is convicted to be a Russian spy and sent for prosecution. This marks the entry of James B.Donovan (Tom Hanks), who specializes as Insurance lawyer is asked by his firm to represent Rudolph in his prosecution. James tries to get Rudolph out of death penalty and requests the judge for 30 years imprisonment, so that he could be used as a bargaining chip in the future, to which his countrymen stand against, which reflects directly on James family’s security. What happens next is an interesting plot.
Why it’s disappointing: A well-made movie, there is no room for disappointment.
What to watch out for: This being a period film, the director made sure to derive the details of that time with great caution. The movie is also shot on film to keep the originality of the period intact, which gives you the feel of a classic. What makes “Bridge of Spies” interesting is the simplistic treatment to the plot which doesn’t exaggerate nor dramatize the situation with overly performed or extensively shot scenes. Matt, Ethan and Joel did a good job on writing this espionage thriller.
The movie doesn’t lurk around and sticks to the subject. The performances by the lead characters were exceptional. Tom Hanks, hands down is one of the finest actors in Hollywood. He did a remarkable job as James Donovan, he brings a beautiful charm to the character with his witty humour. Tom Hanks exceptional work is well supported by Mark Rylance he was a man of few words, but when he spoke he gets your attention. A great character who will get registered in your mind. Definitely we can expect him getting nominated for an Academy Award in a supporting role.
The rest of the supporting cast were well chosen and each and every one regardless of their screen time, had their importance and were well performed.
The art direction team had done a great job in re-creating the period and setting the mood right, the Berlin wall incident was pictured well.
The movie has its own moments which stays with you even after it’s over. There are two scenes in the movie, which inter relates to the situation in the movie itself, was captured with honest emotions, which raises the irony of humanity.
The cinematography was intimate, it gets really personal with every character in the film. Janusz Kaminski did a remarkable job on capturing this period film. Michael Kahn was very precise in editing this flick. The background score by Thomas Newman was great.
Verdict: Steven Speilberg does it again, a great espionage thriller handsomely made with well-crafted intense scenes. Tom Hanks tops it with his outstanding performance with Mark Rylance supporting him.
