Movie Review: ‘Bridge of Spies’ packs an emotional punch, despite a bland title

Movie Review: ‘BRIDGE OF SPIES’ (PG-13)

Is there a more celebrated filmmaker on the planet than the great Steven Spielberg? Doubtful. “The Beard,” as he’s affectionately referred to by his legion of die-hard fans, cut his teeth on cinematic thrill rides and awe-inspiring tales of the fantastical early on, but throughout his illustrious 40-plus-year film career, Spielberg has become equally adept with the historical drama. His new film “Bridge of Spies” isn’t as monumentally impactful as “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan,” but it’s still an expertly crafted, understated cold war era drama filled with wonderful acting and themes of honor and conviction.

In this subtle true story, national treasure Tom Hanks plays James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer who is hired to represent suspected Russian spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) after the low-key painter is brought in by the authorities.

Initially, Donovan and his family fear that that his representing this man will paint him in a negative light, but soon after taking on the case, all the negativity surrounding it prompts the do-gooding lawyer  to do right by Abel. Eventually, Donovan stops looking at this imprisoned man as a danger to the American way of life and more as a human being of rich character. He is a man who was simply following his orders, a proposition that is frowned upon by the majority of the U.S. until an American soldier is captured by the Russians for almost exactly the same reasons.

“Bridge of Spies” is all about those moral grey areas, and it’s very careful in the way that it depicts the good and the not-so-good on both sides of the fence. This is a movie about characters doing things for what they truly believe to be the right reasons. Obviously,  there’s a spy and espionage angle at play in this picture, but one might be hesitant to call this a spy and espionage “thriller” because it’s more of a slow-burn, character-driven piece. And that’s fine. “Bridge of Spies” doesn’t have to move like a freight train because if it did, the importance of the issues at the heart of the movie might have been lost.

Hanks is terrific here doing his likable “everyman” thing. He’s so good, he makes nearly everything he does feel effortless. Hanks is probably the closest we have to a James Stewart these days, and he’s a perfect fit for the old fashioned sensibility that makes up the bulk of “Bridge of Spies.” Hanks completely sells Donovan’s compassion, nobility, and idealistic nature. Plus, the man can really rock a suit.

As great as Hanks is, the real find here is a restrained Mark Rylance. Rylance plays Rudolf Abel with a quiet dignity, and he serves as the true heart and soul of the picture, because “Bridge of Spies” is really filtered through him. It should also be noted that while Rylance hasn’t many scenes with Hanks, the moments they do share on screen are wonderfully poignant.

As expected, “Bridge of Spies” is a gorgeous production. Spielberg always surrounds himself with the best in the business and after all these years, it’s clear that “The Beard” still knows how to shoot a picture.  Through the aid of Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, Production Designer Adam Stockhausen, Costume Designer Kasia Walicka-Maimone, and composer Thomas Newman, “Bridge of Spies” is certainly one of the most beautiful movies of the year.

Again, this is a bit of a slow burn, but in the end, Spielberg and his screenwriters Matt Charman and Joel & Ethan Cohen have fashioned a very timely historical drama, one that really gets under your skin. “Bridge of Spies” has a lot to say about the true nature of real heroes, but it doesn’t always say it in a big flashy way; and the final 20 minutes pack quite an emotional punch. This is a very solid movie, despite a somewhat bland title.