Bridge of Spies, is a thrilling drama that takes place at the height of the Cold War era and follows New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), who is recruited by the CIA to make an exchange of a U.S. Operative for a spy working for the Soviet Union named Rudolf Abel played by Mark Rylance. The movie’s sole goal is to bring history to life, and it does an excellent job of doing so by combining an intriguing plot with great acting.

The Movie really captures the Cold War paranoia of the U.S. citizens and their lack of rationality during this period. With the rising tension between The United States and the Soviet Union with the War at its peak a spy is captured in the United States. The spy is named Rudolf Abel, a quiet and friendly man that Rylance does an excellent job at making likable. James Donovan is soon requested to be his lawyer for the trail by which makes him hated throughout his community with one instance his house being shot at. Tom Hanks does a remarkable job at making the character sincere and cares about his morals even when his own wife is against defending Able. When the trail is over Able is convicted and sentenced to death but Donovan convinces the judge to reduce the sentence to 30 years in prison. While the Abel case is ongoing in the US, a US soldier named Powers who is flying a top Secret plane  the U2, is captured by the Soviet union. Donovan is soon confronted by the CIA to make a trade, Power for Abel. Soon after a young US student is wrongfully captured in convicted in East Berlin, named Frederic Pryor. The movie delivers many suspenseful moments as Donovan tries to make the trade. The agonizing tension is built between two power hungry nations constantly changing every day. While the US does not want to trade for Pryor, Donovan threatens to not make the trade at all if he does not receive Pryor and Powers. While trying to make the trade Donovan is put in danger in many instances and is forced to make the negotiations alone without the CIA or any back up. Donovan does not accept this and threatens the official of East Berlin that if Pryor is not released he will not make the trade with the Soviet Union on the behalf of East Germany. East Germany .soon agrees to release Pryor to at the same time Able is given to the Russians.

As the most intense scene in the movie happens the trade is about to undergo on a bridge where snipers from both side are at the ready to fire, Donovan stands without moving until they get confirmation that Pryor has been releases.

Viewers will await nervously on the edge of their seat throughout the whole movie. The movie does an excellent job at building tension and keeping the audience wondering what will happen next.

Tom Hanks gives a amazing performance unmatchable to anyone else but the movie legend himself. Mark Rylance gives an amazing performance even when standing next to renowned actor Tom Hanks. Overall Bridge of Spies is a movie to remember with remarkable acting and a fantastic story that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat in anticipation.

by LOGAN WATKINS