A Safe bet in the Cold War.

Rating: 7/10 (25 October 2015)

When a story needs to be told against the backdrop of a volatile world in the middle of the Cold War, who better to employ than a couple of silver screen legends in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Add the storytelling brilliance of the Coen brothers and Hollywood has a sure fire winner when it comes to 'Bridge of Spies'. With recent tensions resurfacing between the United States and Russia it is appropriate timing that the big players in movie land have handed such a sensitive issue safely in the steady palms of four powerhouse individuals to deliver a movie inspired by real life events.
But was it too safe? 'Bridge of Spies' was billed as a political thriller with dramatic historical undertones but I can't help feeling that this film has missed its mark in its desire to leave an impact on the audience. Spielberg has delivered a film that comfortably plays within its boundaries without giving the viewer the 'wow factor' that allows the audience to walk out of the theatre with a sense of content satisfaction. This is not to say that 'Bridge of Spies' is a bad film, I just believe with the talent available, it could have been better. The Coen brothers have written a story that was always going to be strong, intelligent and interesting but the narrative seemed stale and tired. 'Bridge of Spies' could have been written by any number of decent script writers. It would have been very difficult for Joel and Ethan to insert their edgy trademark into a story with a set path leaving me perplexed as to why they would have agreed to write the script that relied on rigid conformity.
Tom Hanks is his reliable solid self as Insurance Lawyer, James B. Donovan who has the unenviable task of defending accused Russian spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). In 1957 at the height of the Cold War, America's distrust of anything communist is evident with Donovan's staunch morals and belief in his countries constitution is tested and his families safety is not guaranteed. With Abel's outcome a foregone conclusion it comes as surprise to many at the result in his trial. Sometime later, Donovan is given the opportunity to broker a deal in East Berlin to exchange Abel with an American pilot that had been shot down while taking photographs over Russian airspace. Hanks plays out his role without a hiccup, never really challenged by his character who could be a little too close to Hanks own personality but it is his solid unspectacular performance that allows Mark Rylance to shine. Rylance's calm, intelligent interpretation of a British national that has ties with the USSR bounces wonderfully off Hanks's presence and it becomes apparent that the two characters have a mutual respect for each other. Amy Ryan has a bit part as Donovan's wife, Mary, but doesn't get the chance to make a significant impact and Alan Alda has a cameo as James B. Donovan's boss, Thomas Watters Jr.
Spielberg does give the audience an outstanding look into the recent past with a reconstruction of East Berlin. The wall has just been built and the infamous Checkpoint Charlie is brought back to life with disturbing images of desperate wall jumpers being mercilessly gunned down. An authentic contrast of conditions on either side of the wall adds some much needed tension to Donovan's negotiation's in an atmosphere where uneasy paranoia is just below the surface.
At a little under two and a half hours, 'Bridge of Spies' strains the patience that the viewer puts into it believing that they are going to be given more than what they actually get. It's solid and it is safe but it is not brilliant.