Review- “Bridge of Spies”

It’s 1957, and the world is in the icy grip of the Cold War. Both Americans and Soviets are paranoid and terrified of each other’s nuclear capabilities. And each other’s nuclear intentions. Spies are simultaneously dispatched and hunted. It was only a matter of time before one was caught.

Bridge of Spies is directed by Steven Spielberg, stars Tom Hanks, and is co-written by the Coen brothers– the Hollywood trifecta, you might say. The story revolves around James Donovan, a real-life Brooklyn lawyer recruited by the CIA to represent a captured Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel. The U.S. government sees Abel’s trial and defense as a legal pretense– they fully intend to convict and execute him for espionage. Donovan, however, believes in the rule of law, and he sees this as a test of the American soul. “We have to show them what we’re about,” he says. As he defends the most hated man in the country, he befriends the Soviet spy, seeing that not every Communist is a cunning villain itching to annihilate the Western world.

And then the Soviets seize an American spy, and the War goes from Cold to Freezing.

This film marks the fourth collaboration between Spielberg and Hanks, following Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me if You Can, and The Terminal. Spielberg’s clever, unpretentious direction works perfectly with Hanks’s charm. Hanks is a marvel, arguably one of the most likable actor in history. He has built the reputation for being the American Everyman, yet he never simply recycles performances. James Donovan is one of his strongest, most compelling characters yet. He is an honest man in a world of spies, someone who believes in honor while everyone else is looking for war. He is a character among the ranks of Atticus Finch, a true hero. Every word Hanks says is believable, and his performance perfectly straddles the drama and humor necessary to ground the story.

The majority of the movie involves people sitting and talking, negotiating, arguing, etc. But the performances and storytelling make these conversations irresistibly riveting. Much like the Cold War itself, these are battles of words, wits, and ideologies, not bombs and bullets. About two-thirds of the film depicts Donovan navigating the tricky politics of East Berlin, and I found this portion of the movie more engaging than the beginning.

Bridge of Spies is a classic espionage caper with compelling storytelling and smart thrills. It cleverly illustrates the the power of brain over brawn, and the Cold War setting seeps into your bones as you watch. Spielberg’s genius direction guides us through the ideologies of America without ever becoming preachy or sappy. Hanks is stellar, the supporting cast is solid, and the stimulating story keeps your eyes glued to the screen. Plus, the nail-biting climax on the titular bridge is one of the best of the year.

8/10