To Try a Mockingbird

Rating: 5/10 (16 January 2016)

Yes, it had an interesting story and kept my interest – though the end "true story" statements from a Cuba negotiation sounded more heroic, but Argo, it was not. And I wasn't even the biggest fan of Argo.
So, why all the Oscar buzz? Oh, I guess they still love historical, "based on a true rescue," Hanks/Spielberg movies. These nominations, year after year, are making me sadder. They consistently snub GREAT films for mediocre homages. Was this a great film? Hell no. Was it very good? Nope. It falls in the "good" category with some good dialogue and performances. Mercifully, it won't win any Oscars, but damn, those voters really wanted you to remember they love these guys no matter what they accomplish.
Picture it, U.S.A., Brooklyn 1950s – the other Best Pic nominated movie set in that timeframe. Reluctant lawyer defends a publicly convicted Soviet spy and through negotiations, he helps to remind us what America is all about.
That is as basic as I will be with the synopsis. The rest of the story you can see unravel as Hanks is used as a puppet that pushes back to do the right thing. Again, it's interesting enough for the movie. Worth almost 2½ hours? Nope, but maaaybe if you're a cold-war buff who can't get enough of the Hanks/Spielberg combo.