Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance and Alan Alda
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors are as celebrated as Tom Hanks. Following rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, tormented soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a special talent for creating colourful characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider to be great art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for manufacuring engaging entertainment. Throughout a strong career, Hanks has appeared in several memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Hanks and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Bridge of Spies” is my favourite. Released in 2015, Steven Spielberg’s offered a strong portrait of spies. Packed with engaging production, strong storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about spies. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a lawyer that experiences tension. Ultimately, what makes “Bridge of Spies” a classic is broad appeal. Unlike most historical films, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A riveting historical drama, there are several reasons why “Bridge of Spies” is a film that is worth watching.
Set during the Cold War, “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of spies that face a demise. Tom Hanks plays James Donovan, a bold lawyer with a powerful devotion toward his profession. Donovan has always excelled at solving every case without any hardships to face. However, Donovan’s life changes when he is tasked with defending a spy causing a disaster. Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) is an ambitious spy with strong views against the Soviet Union. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Donovan questions if it’s possible for him to truly become a devoted lawyer. Faced with spies, Donovan begins to wonder whether it’s possible to succeed in a job he used to idolize.
Steven Spielberg has often been fascinated with themes of spies. A fantastic filmmaker, Spielberg has often made engaging movies about spies facing disaster. His iconic movie “Munich” captured the lives of terrorists that are hunted down with spies in Munich. With “Bridge of Spies”, however, Spielberg made his first espionage film. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of spies in history but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Spielberg captures a spy embarking upon a journey to confront his mortality. Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest”, Spielberg captures a spy embarking upon a journey to overcome obstacles through point of view shots. For instance, POV shots elevate the espionage scene. During this haunting scene, Rudolf faces tension when he is caught for crimes he has committed. Using stunning point of view shots, Spielberg creates a portrait of espionage that’s compelling. POV shots are complex techniques. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” suggested, POV shots often enhance movies about survival. However, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Spielberg captures the tensions that spies are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Bridge of Spies” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Inspired by Michael Curtiz’s “Casablanca”, Spielberg effectively employs costumes to capture personalities of spies during a troubled era. Throughout the film, Donovan’s costumes showcase his drastic transformation into a lawyer. For instance, costumes enhance the legal cases scene. During this memorable scene, Donovan is faced with a dilemma defending clients in a courtroom case. Using stunning costumes, Spielberg creates a portrait of lawyers that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Thomas Newman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden lawyers bear. Using captivating production, Spielberg captures the lives of lawyers that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Bridge of Spies” is a film about espionage that is engrossing. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture tensions that spies are facing. Emulating Francis Cord Coppola’s “The French Connection,” Spielberg uses sequences of silence to capture spies that face tension. For instance, silence elevates the trial outcome scene. During this intense scene, Donovan discovers the outcome of his trial leaving him in the state of silence. Through silence, Spielberg crafts portrait of spies that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use. Frank Darabont’s “The Green Mile” claimed that silence enhances prison movies. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Using a superb screenplay, Spielberg captures spies facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as James Donovan. Hanks earned appreciation for playing victims of AIDS crisis. With “Bridge of Spies”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a lawyer defending spies facing adversity in history but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and dedication of a lawyer defending spies facing tensions. It’s a riveting performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the film is mainly a showcase for Tom Hanks, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of appreciation. Mark Rylance is magnificent, capturing the dark obstacles faced by a spy seeking to leave a lasting mark. Amy Ryan is amazing, capturing the compassion of a woman seeking to support her husband in court cases facing tension. Lastly, Alan Alda merits appreciation. As an elderly lawyer, he brings wisdom toward the movie.
Finally, “Bridge of Spies” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of spies. Unlike most movies about spies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes such as angst, mental health and trauma which everyone will relate to. Viewers don’t need to be fully familiar with history of spies to appreciate it. It delivers meaningful message concerning trust that would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Bridge of Spies” is one of those rare films about spies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks would absolutely enjoy “Bridge of Spies” and so would audiences seeking intense entertainment. A stunning historical drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking historical film about spies accused of spreading lies facing tensions which rise, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has never lost his abilities to surprise producing unforgettable films throughout his career that audiences have grown to prize.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 