Thoughtful, possible allegory of man versus government

Rating: 8/10 (3 January 2016)

I am not a Spielberg fan. I don't dislike his films but they are not essential viewing. However Bridge of Spies is different. I am sure others will comment that he has made similar films. I may not have seen them.
Here's a few thoughts. Interesting to note that Spielberg's father had been involved in US - Soviet negotiations at the the same time as the film is set.
Although the character points out that the US government is a sham and a fraud in their trial of Abel, no search warrant etc Tom Hanks does not appear too outraged.
Did the financial backers of this movie also insist that an American out negotiates the Soviet and East German governments? Or did that actually happen?
Are there any parallels int his film with the moral vacuum we see in the US's attitude to the Middle East and Islam? Was that an intention? I feel certain that the Cohen Brothers and Spielberg definitely do not believe that everything is shiny under the bonnet of the US.
To the film itself. As I left the cinema I heard several people say "best film I've seen all year. I wanted to find out why they thought that. Because aside from a few scenes of graphic threat and danger I was struggling to work out how you'd sell this film as one of the best films all year.
Personally I loved it. Occasionally the story telling was a little trite but it was a grown up film for grown ups...telling us a story of man v governments in a cynical way. It's just a shame that so many Americans still think the US is honourable. Let's hope Bernie Sanders leads them from late next year for 4- 8 years. Thankfully in this film, man seems to win but it a closer thing. Of course the East Germans are trying to outdo the Soviets. Of course the soviets don't believe anything they are told. Of course the American CIA are small minded and ridiculous and cannot see that their imperialism is as authoritarian as the Soviets....but the audience get to side with a human being not an ideology.
Great film.