Let’s be honest, it doesn’t get much better in the world of cinema than Tom Hanks starring in a Steven Spielberg film.
It’s a collaboration that most memorably delivered us the amazing Saving Private Ryan, while Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal were also pretty big hits.
The pair also co-produced the incredible Band Of Brothers and The Pacific, so are pretty well-schooled in the art of making war-related material.
Bridge Of Spies, which is based on true events, sees the pair dip into The Cold War – but instead focuses on the exploits of lawyer James B Donovan (Hanks).
Most of you will be familiar with The Cold War, a period of time that saw the USA and USSR very much at odds with each other in a post World War II world. Both dispatched spies, both felt the other was going to nuke them – and another catastrophic war seemed on the cards.
Starting in 1957, Donovan is handed the unenviable task of defending suspected Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance – The Government Inspector). It’s a task no lawyer in America would want, but the nation are determined to see that he’s given a “proper defence”.
It’s a case that comes at great personal cost to Donovan, but one that he takes on nonetheless.
I’ll not divulge too many of the details, but Donovan – clearly a man of great principle – goes above and beyond in his bid to ensure Abel is given a fair trial.
His staunch defence of the most hated man in America certainly catches the eye of those in power – and when American pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell – Whiplash) is shot down and captured during a covert mission over Russia, he’s given a new mission altogether.
With both sides wanting their respective assets back, but unwilling to discuss it formally, Donovan is sent to Berlin to negotiate an off-the-books prisoner exchange.
Post WW2 Berlin must have been a grim place – and that’s something hammered home by a series of pretty awful events.
It’s a time when the Berlin wall was being built… and probably the last place an American with no real back-up would want to be.
Divulging any more than that would ruin what is a fascinating true story, but it’s safe to say that Donovan goes above and beyond to do what he feels is right, which sees him incur the wrath of all sides of a very delicate equation.
That’s what’s great about Bridge Of Spies; the fact that you’re watching an ordinary man put his neck on the line when he really doesn’t have to. It’s a relatable story, with Hanks the perfect choice to play the part.
Much like in the excellent Captain Phillips, he’s the guy next door thrown into a situation that he isn’t really qualified or ready for.
It’s hard to say anything that hasn’t already been said about Hanks, he’s simply at the very top of his game here – and you’ll root for his character throughout.
Likewise, Rylance – who is better known for his stage acting – puts in a masterclass as Abel, another character that you’ll be fascinated by.
Don’t be expecting explosive action and cliched bad guys, this is very much a thriller that deals in facts and harsh realities. Simply put, it’s just a good film that is broken down into two distinct halves.
Even at 140 minutes, I felt like there was much more Spielberg would like to have crammed in.
Personally, I’d like to have seen plenty more context – but I appreciate that the average filmgoer often switches off beyond the two-hour mark.
With that in mind, it probably falls just short of being a classic.
But you can rest assured that Bridge Of Spies still makes fascinating viewing.
Voice Verdict: 8.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Spielberg and Hanks combo
+ Rylance is great
+ A gripping true story
– Harsh, but I wanted more
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Dec 11 to Thurs, Dec 17)
SPECIAL EVENT
**STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS MIDNIGHT SHOWING (12A)
Showing in 2D and 3D at 00.05am (17/12/2015)
FILMS SHOWING
**STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D (12A)
Noon (Thurs), 3.20pm (Thurs), 6.30pm (Thurs), 7pm (Thurs)
**STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 2D (12A)
10.20am (Thurs), 1.30pm (Thurs), 5pm (Thurs), 8.20pm (Thurs)
**CHRISTMAS WITH THE COOPERS (12A)
1pm (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (not Wed)
KRAMPUS (15)
8.40pm (daily)
**THE PEANUTS MOVIE 2D (U)
10.15am (Sat/Sun), 12.25pm (Sat/Sun)
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN (12A)
3.10pm (Wed), 8.30pm (not Wed/Thurs)
THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG)
10am 2D (Sat/Sun), 12.20pm 2D (Sat/Sun), 2.45pm 3D (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4.15pm 2D (Thurs), 5.30pm 2D (not Thurs)
BRIDGE OF SPIES (12A)
5.40pm (not Thurs)
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2 (12A)
2pm 3D (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.20pm 2D (daily), 8.20pm 2D (not Thurs)
THE LADY IN THE VAN (12A)
1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed/Thurs), 3.30pm (not Sun), 6pm (not Thurs)
SPECTRE (12A)
2.30pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 8pm (not Thurs)
KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am (Sat/Sun) – Polar Express 3D (U) & Get Santa (U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 2D (12A)
EVENT CINEMA/LIVE EVENTS
BOLSHOI: THE NUTCRACKER (12A AL)
Dec 13 (3pm)
ROH: THE NUTCRACKER (12A AL)
Dec 16 (7.15pm)
** FREE LIST SUSPENDED
