By Kyler Johnson/Gator Galaxy Staff
“Bridge of Spies” is set in the Cold War era, where the use of spies was a common occurrence and is based on actual events.
James Donovan (Tom Hanks), is an insurance lawyer with some background in criminal law from his early years as a lawyer. He is asked to defend Mr. Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), who has been accused of treason against the United States. Donovan, reluctant at first, decides to defend Abel which ends up spiraling into a series of events.
Throughout the course of the movie, you’ll see reactions from the general public, they have looks of fear and disgust on their face when they hear about the news that Abel was spying for the Soviet Union. They’re stunned that Donovan has decided to defend him.
When the case is first brought to Donovan, his boss instructs him not fight for Abel, but make it look like he’s getting a fair trial. Donovan decides to defend Abel to the fullest extent he can.
Photo source biography.com
The fact that Donovan is willing to help Abel, putting his life and the lives of his family at risk.
Eventually, Donovan is chosen to negotiate a prisoner exchange: Able back to the Soviets for a downed U.S. Air Force pilot and a U.S. graduate student.
I’d give this movie a 7 out of 10 due to the fact that it’s a good movie, but I would’ve liked to see more of the movie from the Soviet Union perspective.
“Bridge of Spies” was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. Mark Rylance won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
“Bridge of Spies” is available from Red Box or on Netflix DVD.
