Bridge of Spies
Drafted by the U.S. government to provide a “legitimate” defense for accused Soviet Spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), former lawyer turned insurance salesman, James Donovan (Tom Hanks) would quickly find himself with a front row seat to the rising heat of the cold war; yet the eventual center of the action would become a negotiation for the release of several imprisoned U.S. citizens. This is the story of James Donovan’s unfaltering convictions and fight for what’s right by human standards.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this procedural biographic examining the political tensions between the two superpowers is put together with a slow burning meticulous hand; delivering the goods Rylance and Hanks both rise to the occasion, but interestingly enough, it’s Rylance’s simple and understated performance makes for the more fascinating character study, file that one for later. Cinematography by Janusz Kaminski and his use of light to tell a story also provides for interesting watching, and, although predictable, Thomas Newman’s score adds just the right amount of tension to make this solid performer stand out as we begin the wind up and wind down of 2015. Worthy of your time, Bridge of Spies is rated PG-13.