What do you get when you combine Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and the Cold War? Obviously, the answer is the new film, Bridge of Spies – but these three elements come together to be so much more than your simple, run of the mill drama. And, if you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the cinematic brilliance of Spielberg’s Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan, you might have an inkling of what you’re in for…
In Bridge of Spies, Tom Hanks stars as James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer with a prominent law firm that’s tapped to defend an alleged Russian spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). To Donovan’s surprise, Abel doesn’t act like a spy, and doesn’t divulge any information to indicate the contrary – but such a defense was an inevitable uphill battle.
After going to trial, Abel is vehemently convicted as a spy – and despite the public’s demand for the death penalty, he’s sentenced to 30 years behind bars. In the meantime, the U.S. launches convert U-2 aircrafts to take pictures …show more content…
Sure, this is a film center around James Donovan, but it’s disingenuous to ignore the impact of their contributions. Dakin Matthews, portraying Judge Byers, also stands out in his brief, albeit impact set of scenes.
Acting aside, the writing collaboration between Matt Charma (Suite Française) and the Coen brothers (Unbroken, No Country for Old Men) is on par with the best historical dramas of the modern era – rivaling anything from Saving Private Ryan and Selma to The King’s Speech and 12 Years a Slave). To boot, these writers formulate captivating dialogue that allows this film to progress naturally – and without having to force unneeded or irrelevant information down the throats of viewers. This is a historically genuine production that remains true to the real life
In Bridge of Spies, Tom Hanks stars as James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer with a prominent law firm that’s tapped to defend an alleged Russian spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). To Donovan’s surprise, Abel doesn’t act like a spy, and doesn’t divulge any information to indicate the contrary – but such a defense was an inevitable uphill battle.
After going to trial, Abel is vehemently convicted as a spy – and despite the public’s demand for the death penalty, he’s sentenced to 30 years behind bars. In the meantime, the U.S. launches convert U-2 aircrafts to take pictures …show more content…
Sure, this is a film center around James Donovan, but it’s disingenuous to ignore the impact of their contributions. Dakin Matthews, portraying Judge Byers, also stands out in his brief, albeit impact set of scenes.
Acting aside, the writing collaboration between Matt Charma (Suite Française) and the Coen brothers (Unbroken, No Country for Old Men) is on par with the best historical dramas of the modern era – rivaling anything from Saving Private Ryan and Selma to The King’s Speech and 12 Years a Slave). To boot, these writers formulate captivating dialogue that allows this film to progress naturally – and without having to force unneeded or irrelevant information down the throats of viewers. This is a historically genuine production that remains true to the real life