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| BRIDGE OF SPIES movie poster |
"Bridge of Spies' stars Tom Hanks and was directed by Steven Spielberg and is based on actual facts.
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| Steven Spielberg |
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| Tom Hanks James B Donovan |
The story begins in 1957. It concerns the actions of James Donovan, (Tom Hanks) an insurance settlement attorney, who is asked to represent a Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel, played by Mark Rylance. He was captured by the CIA. As the story unfolds, what is actually at the heart of the case is for Donovan to work out a "deal" with the Soviets for the American U-2 pilot shot down and captured, Gary Francis Powers. Additionally, as the East Berlin wall was being constructed a young American student, Frederic Pryor, was detained by the Stasi as a spy. When Donovan found out about the young student he decided that both men would have to be exchanged for Abel. There were many hurdles to the exchange process as the East Germans held Pryor and the Russians had Powers. After many negotiation meetings and even some red herrings along the way, the parties ultimately finalized the exchange. The Russians and Americans met on the Glienicke Bridge that separates East Germany from West Berlin. Powers and Able each walked across the bridge passing each as they went to their respective fates. Additionally, the East Germans finally released Pryor at Checkpoint Charlie, only because Donovan insisted that he would only make the deal for Abel when both men were released.
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| Mark Rylance Rudolph Abel |
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| Austin Stowell Gary Francis Powers |
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| Amy Ryan Mary Donovan |
There is so much more to this story than this brief narrative. Such as the story of Pryor and his German girlfriend, Donovan's struggle with representing Able and their budding friendship, Powers being a prisoner of the Soviets and all the while with the CIA pulling the strings in the background.
Whether you like Spielberg or not, one thing he always does right is the details in his movies. The "vintage" cars of the 50's, the duck-and-cover drills in schools, the costumes and hairstyles were so 50's. With the Cold War at it's height, it set the somber tone of the story.The one tiny negative comment is that it began to drag a tad towards the end of the film. Also this movie is 141 minutes long so plan your liquid consumption accordingly.
Tom Hanks did an excellent job in his role, as did several of the supporting cast. Could Tom receive an Oscar nod for this role....one will find out next year!
The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe and 1 2nd toe up with a Swanson's TV dinner on the side. (if you see the movie then you will understand that reference).
Disclaimer: The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.
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