Bridge of Spies: A Damn Near Perfect Film

​Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks collaborate in this Cold War thriller, which sheds new light on old Hollywood classics. 

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This old-school thriller shows us the historic significance of the Cold War and film. It’s an important film for this generation and will hopefully leave its trademark for years to follow. Spielberg and his crew go back to the historic dramas, filled with grand writing, directing and acting.

Bridge of Spies is one of the best films of the year and is total Oscar bait. A script that is polished by Matt Chairman and the Coen brothers (Fargo and No Country for Old Men) tells the story of a hero insurance lawyer, James Donovan (Hanks), who is chosen to represent Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). Abel is arrested and is being charged as a Soviet spy, while Donovan is being called traitor for defending Abel.

The cards take a different turn of events in the film when an American U-2 spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union and the pilot, Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), is captured. Now, the CIA recruits Donovan to negotiate with the Soviets for the exchange between Abel and Powers. This slow burning Spielberg film shows the heartaches of two countries on the brink of war and in the end, sneaks up on you.

​It’s some of Spielberg’s best work since Saving Private Ryan. Hanks gives us another grandeur performance, while Thomas Newman’s score adds a since of tension to the drama. The film works best when “the standing man” and the Soviet bravely abide to their countries. Bridge of Spies surely will win many awards this Oscar season; rightfully so, Spielberg and Hanks deserve them. The film is flooded with realism and propaganda and in the end; Bridge of Spies is a damn near perfect film.  

Bridge of Spies is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). For some violence and brief strong language.