Well acted period piece political drama

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2015)

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks together, two American treasures, have crafted a wonderful foray into the past with a film that deals with a Jimmy Stewart like geopolitical situation. It's 1957, the Cold war is upon us with nuclear scares and all, and Russia has invaded and taken half of Germany. How do we trade our pilot Gary Powers for the Russian spy Rudolf Abel?
Mark Rylance as the Russian spy is so good that I can't think of anyone's performance that can beat him for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Director nomination for Spielberg, The Coen Bros. for their script, Thomas Newman for music, Janus Kaminski for Cinematography.
Amy Ryan as Hanks's wife and Sebastian Koch as the German lawyer Vogel steal every scene they are in. There is much humor to cut the tension and pathos as Hanks puts his family in grave danger representing the Russian spy with a big heart.
From Brooklyn to East Germany when they are putting up the Wall is a nice jump in locations and the sets are so real you think you are really there.
Could be a contender for Best Picture.