Title: Bridge of Spies
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan, Mark Rylance
Runtime: 2 hrs 21 mins
What It Is: James Donovan (Hanks) is an insurance lawyer at a major Manhattan firm. When a suspected Russian spy is captured he will require legal counsel. Donovan’s fellow partners James Watters (Alan Alda), and Lynn Goodnough (John Rue) agree he’s the best man for the job. Defending a suspected soviet sympathizer, and spy during the Cold War can’t possibly come without a risk? That’s the situation Donovan must navigate, in correlation with having to defend a man who might prove impossible given the xenophobic nature of the red fear in this time.

What We Think: Steven Spielberg answers the question no one asked: Does he still have it? The answer is a resounding yes. Hanks is just fantastic, as he normally is, he really brings a strong pathos to this character. Mark Rylance is just killer in his supporting role of suspected Russian spy Rudolf Abel. Do not be surprised if he receives a nomination for Supporting Actor. There’s only one problem with this film and sadly it’s a truly grating one. It’s pace. Much like Lincoln there are just too many moments of a lull in this. I found myself somewhat bored during some of the parts of this.

Our Grade: B+, There is so much here that the average viewer is going to adore. It’s a great “dad movie” so this thanksgiving take the ole man to a movie, and this one is quite perfect for that. It’s Spielberg so it’ll get some looks from the Academy, but like Hanks last major role in Captain Phillips it will get the nominations but won’t win anything. In addition, I don’t think Stevie will get a Best Director nomination, but the Academy loves its legacy directors so you never know!