Movie Review

Bridge Of Spies

No more needs to doubt about Steven Spielberg. He has been defined through the summer blockbuster by Jaws, creating an iconic figure named Indiana Jones, touching images and emotions of all people through E.T., turn the dinosaurs into real life in Jurassic Park, winning two Oscars for the best director because of Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. He had achieve his idealistic and commercial success. In his 69th, Spielberg is just doing what he wants, making a film with his taste and specialties. Therefore we should know what we should expects with Bridge of Spies that marks his fourth collaboration with Tom Hanks. Spielberg liked the real story of the past contain strong humanist element, and package them in dramatic way to embroil the emotions of spectators.

The film is based on a real incident, known as the "1960 U-2 Incident". The incident occurred on May 1, 1960 during the Cold War between the United States and the Uni Soviet. When the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft belonging to American piloted by Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) was shot down in the middle of taking pictures over Soviet area. Powers was arrested and sentenced to prison on charges of spying. But the Bridge of Spies began his story before that, precisely when the FBI arresting Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). For the sake of creating a fair trial, the US government asked James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) to be a defender for Abel.

But in fact the process was just a formality and sheer falsehood. Judge ignores strong evidence that is capable of being the cornerstone surety. CIA tried to get Abel talks with Donovan, although legally it is confidential between the client and the lawyer. The US community began to see Donovan as traitors who sided with spies. It is desired by the major party is Abel got the judicial process on the paper according to the rules, but should be sentenced to death in any condition. It is interesting that the fact of this film is based on a true story happen over 40 years ago. The manuscript from Matt Charman and the Coen Brothers tell us the story how people nowadays liked to judge the book by it's cover.They liked to judge something without knowing the essence and viewing just in one point of view. The story has a strong braid applicable in the current environment. Because it is easy to bound and carried away our emotion by the conflict.

The story of two arrested of spies then started to connect when the Soviet offer an exchange. Soviet want to change Powers to Abel.  As a negotiator, Donovan was appointed in the exchange because the US government refused to get involved directly. At the near time, an American student named Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers) was arrested by the Stasi because the team caught crossing to East Germany through the Berlin Wall being built. Pryor was jailed on charges of spying. In the process, Donovan tried to negotiate so that the Soviets and East Germans were equally willing to make an exchange. It's not easy, because it means to be an exchange of 2-for-1 among the three countries.

As his 'favorite area', Spielberg was well-aware already about how to package these stories. The main weapon is the story of humanity, where Spielberg tried to show how precious of every human being equality it is. No matter spy or not, he should received same justice system. No matter useful for political and military purposes or not, each hostage has the same price. Everything is solid packed. Spielberg knows how to play dynamics trajectories. When it should be run slowly, when to provide an emotional climax, when the Donovan must be brave so as the main character able to take the audience. Here we could see the maturity of Steven Spielberg as the director of this film. So careful and in no hurry to show off his ambition to create a dramatic or suspenseful thriller film.

All aspects of this film is packed with good. It would not be surprising at the Oscars 2016, Bridge of Spies received several nominations such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tom Hanks. Just like the movie itself, Hanks acting well. He's perfect figure Donovan turned a full ideals, noble, but also has a sense of humor. The plot is very well-organized. The setting is also attractive, it just like we are in the real situation at that time. The story completely show the people how to take an action after seeing a problem from many aspects clearly. The movie simply shows how everyone is has equality in law sides. I highly recommend you to watch this movie.

Here some scenes of Bridge of Spies :