wheelz-lv The story of the movie takes place during the Cold War era and depicts the tension between the US and the USSR. Both countries are trying to spy on each other in order to gain an advantage over the other side in terms of information. The story buildup is done very well and both characters depicted by Mark Rylance and Tom Hanks make you appreciate more the human side of the story rather than the political one. Even given the serious tone of the story, I did enjoy the humorous elements that were added in by the characters.Don't expect too much action and suspense as this is not that type of movie, rather focus on the points this movie is trying to present about the ideals that we agree with but often don't follow. In this case Tom Hanks' character is fighting for what's right, not what's politically favorable.The movie has a certain "je ne sais quoi" to it, that's why I gave it 9 instead of 8 and it's well deserved.

donegalcat A well-made and acted but understated cold-war drama about the exchange of prisoners between the USA and the USSR in Germany.Tom Hanks is reliably good as the insurance lawyer James Donovan, drawn into cold-war intrigue, representing a Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in court. Mark Rylance gives a quiet, understated performance as the spy. Rylance is competent, but the performance is rather a surprising nod for an Oscar.After an American spy pilot is shot down over Soviet air space, much of the film is set in Berlin as Donovan negotiates with Soviet and East German authorities for the release of the pilot and an American student captured in East Berlin in exchange for Abel.The scene where the pilots plane is shot down, is poorly filmed with cheap special effects. But otherwise the film is well shot with excellent period detail and atmosphere. Although some of the scenes in East Berlin verge slightly on absurd, a hint of the Coen brothers influence as screenwriters for the film.Amy Ryan is largely wasted as Donovan's wife while the early scenes detailing Abels court case feel a bit short and underdeveloped. And the final scenes fall prey to Steven Spielberg's usual twee sensibilities. But overall, the film represents a decent notch in the well worn and capable partnership between Spielberg and Hanks.

sofiababool Spielberg's depiction of the Cold War is quite interesting because it allows of greater understanding as to the depth of the animosity between the United States and the Soviet Union at that time. However, I believe that the logistics of the exchange were oversimplified, and did not pose to be an accurate depiction of the heated arguments that must have been at play during that time. In addition, certain imagery was very effective in drawing comparative environments between the United States and the Soviet Union, such as the scene in Berlin when James Donovan is viewing the men that attempted to climb over the Berlin wall. This scene was compared to the end scene in which we were exposed to children in the United States climbing over a fence without the slightest nervousness of violence. Overall, this movie was a great docudrama that inspired to support the strength and conviction of the United States' pride in a free trial.

smashthecontrolmachine A great actor such as Hanks, I'd expect no less then the performance for the ages and here is yet another one from Tom. I have to also in the same breath mention the absolutely fantastic Oscar winning performance given by Mark Rylance. Mark gives an epic performance in his own right and it's so fine to see their two characters on screen. Bridge of Spies is as close to flawless as movies of this type get. It tells the story as it should but I appreciate the way it's told, it makes it more interesting, how the story is weaved. It makes all the difference how you spin a tale and in the same turn, hook the movie watcher in. Bridge of Spies finds just the right balance, striking just the right chord in my book!