Ordinary lawyer goes to Cold War Berlin

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2016)

This is the story of James Donovan, who during the Cold War became a sort of secret negotiator for the American government in the trade off of Russian spy Rudolph Abel and American pilot Gary Powers.
The portrayal of America during the Cold War is absolutely wonderful.
Hanks's performance is excellent, as one has come to expect from the man. He is utterly believable, despite his fame.
It helped that much of the movie takes place in Berlin, a city I love. Spielberg does a terrific job in showing Cold War Berlin and particularly the horror of the city getting divided.
Don't believe those who are saying that the movie is too jingoistic. It's not. Spielberg and Coen don't avoid controversial issues. The movie-goer is jarred with a few thought-provoking comparisons and some gentle reminders of the difficulties of life and hypocrisies of that era. Much of the movie deals with the legal issues involved. Donovan, originally an insurance litigator, is the lawyer for the Russian spy.
I have to give this movie 9/10 because I can't think of a single thing wrong with it. (OK, there is one thing: I can't say the movie really moved me that much.) This is movie-making at its best. Look at who is involved: Spielberg, Hanks, the Coen brothers, and so on. Don't miss this one.