Bridge of Spies

Steven Spielberg reunited with Tom Hanks for the fourth time for the Cold War spy drama, Bridge of Spies, an absorbing true story of a captured Russian spy and his unique relationship with his Attorney, who is determined he receive as fair a trial as possible, as well the twists of fate that lie ahead for them in the future. 

In 1957 New York, Rudolf Abel (played by Mark Rylance) is a Russian Spy as well as a talented artist with both paints and drawing. He is arrested and charged with spying for the Soviet Union. Insurance Lawyer James B. Donovan (played by Tom Hanks) is prevailed upon to take up the defense so that the trial will seem fair. Despite the outcome being a forgone conclusion, Donovan is determined to give Abel the best defense possible, all the while dodging the CIA's attempts to get him to break client-attorney confidentiality. Despite his best efforts, Abel is still found guilty but Donovan is able to talk them down from the death penalty to a prison sentence. Meanwhile, Gary Powers (played by Austin Stowell), pilot of the U-2 spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union. Donovan receives a letter from East Germany that is purportedly from Abel's wife, but the CIA believes it is a back channel message signaling the Soviets are open to swapping Powers for Abel. They ask Donovan to travel to East Germany to try and broker a deal. In an unfamiliar land, Donovan has to rely on his wits to try and broker a deal between two governments that if successful could allow two men to return to their respective homes.

Steven Spielberg, working from a script by Matt Charman and Joel & Ethan Coen, crafts an engrossing and true life spy tale from the height of the Cold War. These masters of filmmaking manage to craft a riveting tale of real life espionage from a story that doesn't have a lot of the typical action set pieces that a spy film we're more accustomed to might have (we're a long ways away from Bond here, folks). Yet, it's in the moments between characters that kept my attention, whether it's Abel and Donovan or Donovan and the East German contact Wolfgang Vogel (played by Sebastian Koch), or the toll this case has on Donovan's home life (his house gets shot at because some people view him as a traitor for defending Abel). 

It's the characters that are a big part of why the film is so compelling. Mark Rylance is fantastic as Rudolf Abel, who is in many ways an ideal spy. Quiet and unassuming, doesn't look or sound Russian (he was born and spent his childhood in Ireland before his family moved to Russia and the accent still stuck). He keeps to himself and is only ever really seen drawing or painting. Donovan is impressed by him and asks him at one point, "Do you ever worry?" to which Abel responds, "Would it help?" Likewise, Ton Hanks gives a reliably good performance as perhaps the least likely person to get involved in Espionage and yet somehow managed to. It's the unique relationship between these two men that really made the film for me. 

Bridge of Spies may not be for everyone. Some may find it a bit more dry and lacking in the sort of suspense the title may suggest, although the film does have a few tense moments. But for those who are interested in a more character driven film based in the reality of what espionage was like in the Cold War days, there is plenty here to enjoy. It's probably not must see Spielberg, but if you're intrigued by the subject matter, there's plenty to enjoy.