Bridge of Spies
09/12/15 Filed in: Cinema
Spielberg does it again. As soon as I saw the trailer for this film I knew that I wanted to see it, and I wasn't disappointed.
Based on actual events, the film shows how a New York lawyer, James Donovan, at first defends a Russian spy, Rudolf Abel, and then goes on to organise and carry out a prisoner exchange with the Russians in the recently segregated East Berlin.
Tom Hanks is his usual solid self in playing Donovan, while Mark Rylance gives a remarkable performance as Abel. The paranoia of the Cold War is expertly displayed as Donovan ups the ante by not only negotiating the repatriation of pilot Gary Powers, whose spy plane was shot down by the Russians, but also a hapless American student who had been taken by the East German authorities. The Russians didn't think much of the East Germans being involved, and vice versa, while the CIA was only interested in Powers. But Donovan, forever principled, stuck to his guns, to everybody's consternation.
Based on actual events, the film shows how a New York lawyer, James Donovan, at first defends a Russian spy, Rudolf Abel, and then goes on to organise and carry out a prisoner exchange with the Russians in the recently segregated East Berlin.
Tom Hanks is his usual solid self in playing Donovan, while Mark Rylance gives a remarkable performance as Abel. The paranoia of the Cold War is expertly displayed as Donovan ups the ante by not only negotiating the repatriation of pilot Gary Powers, whose spy plane was shot down by the Russians, but also a hapless American student who had been taken by the East German authorities. The Russians didn't think much of the East Germans being involved, and vice versa, while the CIA was only interested in Powers. But Donovan, forever principled, stuck to his guns, to everybody's consternation.
The relationship between Donovan and Abel is what the film is all about. Each soon finds himself having a great deal of respect for the other, a respect that transcends the double dealings that were a feature of this period of history. Meanwhile the American government effectively leaves Donovan to it, not wanting to show any governmental involvement in what is clearly a government inspired negotiation. It's the proverbial game of cat and mouse played to very high stakes.
As Abel awaits trial and the possible death penalty, Donovan asks "aren't you worried", to which he replies, "would it help if I was?" I think the word is phlegmatic, and Abel epitomises it.
Well worth seeing.
As Abel awaits trial and the possible death penalty, Donovan asks "aren't you worried", to which he replies, "would it help if I was?" I think the word is phlegmatic, and Abel epitomises it.
Well worth seeing.