Donovan's Riff

Rating: 8/10 (28 November 2015)

This could almost be subtitled To Kill A Nightingale for what we have is no less than Tom Hanks as Atticus Finch, the ultra respectable lawyer and seemingly the only one who can be approached to defend a no-hoper in the shape of Mark Rylance, honorary Black man and, as a Russian spy in the in the heart of the Cold War as persona non grata in New York as Tom Robinson in 1930s Alabama. In a further touch of irony Gregory Peck, the personification of Atticus Finch, would have arguably been first choice to play Donovan had he still been available but Tom Hanks who, to some extent, plays Gregory Peck good-guy roles for a living, makes a creditable pinch- hitter. Whereas Atticus Finch was a fictional recreation of Harper Lee's lawyer father Donovan was a real person as was Francis Gary Powers, the pilot shot down in Russian air space who declined to kill himself rather than be captured. As comedian Mort Sahl said at the time, there have been two traitors in US history, the first was Nathan Hale who said 'I regret I have but one life to give for my country', the second was Francis Gary Powers, who said, 'this shatters all my plans'. Donovan is, of course, unable to secure a not guilty verdict for his client but he does prevail upon the court to spare him execution on the grounds that he may prove useful as a pawn in some future negotiation and when Powers is captured he is able to broker an exchange. Both Hanks and Mark Rylance turn in fine performances and for a cerebral rather than action-filled thriller the film is a success.