Flick Chick Review ‘Bridge Of Spies’

Flick Chick here once again in the pursuit of truth, justice and keeping you from spending your hard earned money on movies that don’t make the grade! Last night I grabbed my Cold War history book and headed into the Bangor Mall Cinemas to see 'Bridge of Spies'

This is an historical, biography, drama that runs 2 and a quarter hours. The film is rated PG-13 for some violence and brief strong language. ‘Bridge of Spies’ stars Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Scott Shepherd, Amy Ryan, Sebastian Koch, Alan Alda and is directed by Steven Spielberg

Summary:

Based on actual historical events, this is story is set during the cold war as a Russian occupied Germany is the building of the Berlin Wall between east and west. During that time in the US the CIA arrest an alleged Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) who is to be tried as a US combatant. Enter American lawyer James B Donovan (Tom Hanks) who is charged with the defense of the alleged spy. His decision to defend Abel pushing him in the public eye in a less than favorable light and ultimately placing his family in danger. Regardless, Donovan is determined to get Rudolf Abel a fair trial and even convinces the Supreme Court to incarcerate him and not kill him in the thought that one day the US may need him as a bargaining chip to get one of our own back which is ultimately is what happened. During and early mission a US reconnaissance plane is shot down over Russia and its pilot captured. Given his work as Able’s council Donovan is recruited by the CIA to go to Berlin to help secure the trade of the pilot detained in by Soviet Union for Rudolf Abel.

Review:

There are things to love and not so love about biopics. To love is that most always written about men and women who are extraordinary as was James Donovan and in his own right Rudolf Able. On the downside movies of this sort tend to take a long time building their story base and can run a little long which this movie does on both counts. That said between Tom Hanks who plays Donovan perfectly and Spielberg who knows exactly how to craft the right balance of suspense and human character it still gets you. By the end you will have heroes, understanding, courage and integrity coming at you from all sides with even a little humor mixed in. On a scale of 1 – 10, I am giving ‘Bridge of Spies’ a 9.

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