Look, when I first heard about an “untitled Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks Cold War spy movie,” I was beyond excited. Even after hearing the less than inspiring title now, Bridge of Spies, I am still stoked. After all, Tom Hanks is my favorite actor from my lifetime, and I really enjoyed Charlie Wilson’s War – also despite the feeble title.
I grew up watching Hanks on “Bossom Buddies,” yes, that far back, and I have enjoyed watching him grow as an actor. Everything he touches is gold, and I often refer to him as my generation’s Jimmy Stewart. When he starred as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks, it was almost more than I could handle. As I admire both great Americans.
Now, Hanks will take on another challenging role, as he will be playing James Donovan, a lawyer the CIA has tasked with an almost impossible mission. Donovan must negotiate with the Soviets for a U2 pilot that was shot down over their territory.
“A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events.”
Swift take: I am not expecting a lot of action, but I am expecting some incredible cinematography, possibly on par with Super 8. I imagine shooting down the U2 could be dramatic fodder, so to speak, and many other interesting (and terrifying) events of that period. I know Hanks will shine in his subdued, every-man fashion that I have come to love.
Bridge of Spies also stars three-time Tony Award® winner Mark Rylance (Twelfth Night, Jerusalem, Boeing Boeing) as Rudolf Abel, a KGB agent defended by Donovan; Scott Shepherd (Side Effects) as CIA operative Hoffman; Academy Award® nominee Amy Ryan (Birdman, Gone Baby Gone) as James’ wife, Mary; Sebastian Koch (A Good Day to Die Hard) as East German lawyer Vogel; and Academy Award nominee Alan Alda (M*A*S*H, The Aviator, Flirting With Disaster) as Thomas Watters, a partner at Donovan’s law firm.
Hits Theaters: October 16, 2015
