Bridge of Spies | Review
I was treated to a sneak peek of the cold war thriller “Bridge of Spies” on Monday. This movie opens in theaters nationwide today, and you need to put it on your list.
On your OSCAR list that is. Because I won’t be surprised to see a nomination or two come out of this one.
It’s good in every way possible.
I’m a history nerd myself, but I didn’t realize the full scope of what happened with Gary Powers and the spy allegations (and convictions) in the 1950s and early 60s. This movie was not only a great teaching vessel, but I was completely entertained as well.
The movie stars Tom Hanks. Do I need to say anymore?
Hanks plays insurance lawyer James Donovan who is tapped to provide a defense to an alleged Soviet spy. Mark Rylance playing the spy, Rudolf Abel, has some of the best moments of the movie. I absolutely love his response to the question, “Do you ever worry?”.
I’m going to channel his answer into my own life.
Much of the story is centered around the courtroom, but there’s plenty of action and suspense as well.
It’s a gorgeous film and worth watching more than once.
SYNOPSIS:
A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures’ “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of James Donovan, a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. Screenwriters Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.
Directed by three-time Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg, “Bridge of Spies” stars: two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as James Donovan; three-time Tony Award® winner Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel, a KGB agent defended by Donovan; Scott Shepherd as CIA operative Hoffman; Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan as James’ wife, Mary; Sebastian Koch as East German lawyer Vogel; and Academy Award nominee Alan Alda as Thomas Watters, a partner at Donovan’s law firm. The film is produced by Spielberg, Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger with Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Matt Charman and three-time Academy Award winners Ethan Coen & Joel Coen. “Bridge of Spies” opens in theaters today.
Will you be heading to the movies this weekend? Is Bridge of Spies on your must-see list?
Images courtesy DreamWorks Pictures. Used with permission.
Media tickets to an advanced screening were provided in exchange for an honest review.
Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
