Village Vidiot

Thousands of brief movie reviews from decades of film watching from a guy who loves the cinema.

Menu
  • About
Menu

Bridge of Spies

Posted on July 17, 2016October 25, 2020 by Village Vidiot

  “Bridge of Spies,” July 17, 2016 (2015), DVD.  Tom Hanks plays James Donovan, a NY insurance attorney asked to represent Soviet spy Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance) in this based-on-a-true story Steven Spielberg tale of Cold War intrigue and double dealing which, in part due to Donovan’s skill, led to Abel’s exchange for Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 pilot captured by the USSR after he failed to commit suicide. Hanks plays his role with all his usual wit, intelligence and everyman honesty but Rylance steals the show through understatement and brilliant pacing. The film follows the tale through to the final exchange which Donovan is able to arrange via tough negotiations with the USSR and the East Germans. For his belief in the American system of justice, Donovan (a former assistant prosecutor at Nuremburg) faced real threats, his family endured night-riders, and his career was placed in danger. Mr America, have you even read the Constitution?. If not, you can have my copy. It’s a much better film than I expected and Abel is portrayed with unexpected dignity and respect. Worth watching.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Red, White and Blue
  • Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
  • Lovers Rock
  • Mangrove
  • Mank

Recent Comments

  • Village Vidiot on Marriage Story
  • Village Vidiot on Marriage Story
  • Village Vidiot on A Time to Kill
  • Village Vidiot on Marriage Story
  • Village Vidiot on Marriage Story

Archives

Categories

  • Film Reviews

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
© 2021 Village Vidiot | WordPress Theme by Superbthemes