‘Bridge of Spies’ leaves fans curious about real life inspiration
“Bridge of Spies,” a historical film based on true events from American history, was released in theaters on Oct. 16. Head over to a theater to see if before it’s gone. You won’t regret it.
The movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, is set in the 1950s and ‘60s during the Cold War. James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks, “Saving Mr. Banks”) is a prominent insurance attorney who is asked to defend Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance, “Bing”) after he has been caught on American soil. Donovan accepts his task in the name of patriotism, but gets a lot of criticism from the American people for ensuring that Abel got a fair trial. He is glared at on the subways, written about negatively in the papers and his house, where he lives with his wife and children, is shot at.
The bulk of the movie focuses on a spy-swap between the United States and the Soviet Union. Donovan is asked by the CIA to go to Berlin in East Germany to facilitate the trade as a civilian. The Soviets captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell, “Public Morals”) after the spy plane was shot down by a Russian missile. Donovan agrees to go.
Spielberg portrays Berlin accurately as a grey, scary, authoritative state. The Berlin Wall looms in the background, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by gun-wielding troops. Once in Berlin, Donovan goes against orders and demands that American student Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers, “A Good Marriage”), who was detained by the East Germans, be given back to the Americans as well. Donovan refuses to trade Abel to the Soviets unless Pryor is released.
Spielberg was able to keep up the drama and tension in the trade-off scene. The audience was on the edge of their seats, anticipating what was going to happen in the end.
Hanks was a great choice for the main role. The mature, dignified actor was able to portray the Brooklyn lawyer flawlessly. Rylance was great as Abel. He made the character likeable, despite the fact that he was a Soviet spy. By the end of the movie, audiences found themselves rooting for Abel. They wanted to see him return home.
“Bridge of Spies” is one of those movies that was able to completely capture the audience’s attention for the entirety of its two and a half hour run time. It sparked interest to the point that audiences wondered about the characters in the film on the drive back from the theater.
Photo provided by bridgeofspies.com
The movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, is set in the 1950s and ‘60s during the Cold War. James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks, “Saving Mr. Banks”) is a prominent insurance attorney who is asked to defend Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance, “Bing”) after he has been caught on American soil. Donovan accepts his task in the name of patriotism, but gets a lot of criticism from the American people for ensuring that Abel got a fair trial. He is glared at on the subways, written about negatively in the papers and his house, where he lives with his wife and children, is shot at.
The bulk of the movie focuses on a spy-swap between the United States and the Soviet Union. Donovan is asked by the CIA to go to Berlin in East Germany to facilitate the trade as a civilian. The Soviets captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell, “Public Morals”) after the spy plane was shot down by a Russian missile. Donovan agrees to go.
Spielberg portrays Berlin accurately as a grey, scary, authoritative state. The Berlin Wall looms in the background, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by gun-wielding troops. Once in Berlin, Donovan goes against orders and demands that American student Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers, “A Good Marriage”), who was detained by the East Germans, be given back to the Americans as well. Donovan refuses to trade Abel to the Soviets unless Pryor is released.
Spielberg was able to keep up the drama and tension in the trade-off scene. The audience was on the edge of their seats, anticipating what was going to happen in the end.
Hanks was a great choice for the main role. The mature, dignified actor was able to portray the Brooklyn lawyer flawlessly. Rylance was great as Abel. He made the character likeable, despite the fact that he was a Soviet spy. By the end of the movie, audiences found themselves rooting for Abel. They wanted to see him return home.
“Bridge of Spies” is one of those movies that was able to completely capture the audience’s attention for the entirety of its two and a half hour run time. It sparked interest to the point that audiences wondered about the characters in the film on the drive back from the theater.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
