BRIDGE OF SPIES: FORGOTTEN HISTORY

It seems that the lessons of history are lost on the young these days. More attention is paid to causes in history as opposed to the events that happened. When you talk about the cold war they’re taught that it ended under Reagan but little about what it was or things that happened, with the exception perhaps the Bay of Pigs situation. Ask any kid who Gary Francis Powers was and chances are they won’t know. Ask about the U-2 spy plane and they’re likely to think it’s a cover band. So it’s nice to see the story as well as what happened around it told in BRIDGE OF SPIES.

Rather than focus directly on Powers the movie instead tells the tale from the perspective of James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks), the lawyer who was fundamental in securing Power’s release. An insurance attorney, Donovan is recruited to defend Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a man accused of being a Russian spy at the height of the cold war. While we know that he is guilty, Donovan takes the task assigned seriously without questioning if he is or not.

But what Donovan truly faces is a kangaroo court. No one wants this to play out honestly, especially those in charge of the proceedings. Guilt has been determined before the trial even begins and Donovan slowly comes to that understanding as requests are denied and comments are made in chambers by the judge leaving no doubt what will follow. Not only that, Donovan and his family come under attack for his taking the case, the public unaware that he was requested to do so as opposed to taking the case willingly.

With a guilty verdict in all that is left is sentencing. The crowd calls for the death penalty. Donovan reasons with the judge suggesting that we too are spying on the Russians and should one of our spies fall into their hands it might be worthwhile to have one of theirs on hand that we could offer in trade for the safe return of ours. While the case is lost, Donovan does have this at least as solace.

When he returns to work things are different. His attempt to actually be the lawyer he thought he was supposed to have altered the attitude of co-workers. But all that is left behind when the call for his services is sent out once more.

A co-existing story has unfolded as the trial was taking place, that of Gary Francis Powers and the crash of his U-2 spy plane. Pilots have been ordered to blow up their planes and if need be kill themselves rather than be taken prisoner. Circumstance have left Powers unable to do either and he is being interrogated by the Russians concerning his plane and the plans of the U.S.

These two storylines converge when Donovan is asked to help, while not actually being a representative of the government, in setting up a trade with the Russians, Abel for Powers. Shortly before this has gone on, an American student was also arrested in the now Communist controlled East Germany days after the Berlin Wall has been erected. Donovan agrees to help and although his handlers continue to tell him to forget the student he tries to set up the trade for both Americans.

The movie unravels at a slow pace but then so do the days and weeks of a trial and the maneuvering to get a deal done in the second half of the film. Slow here is not a bad thing but instead allows the story to be told. Anyone expecting guns blazing and explosions galore will be disappointed. This is the real world and how governments actually behave most of the time. It is a fascinating tale that is handled well by director Steven Spielberg. Hanks does his usual amazing job of portraying a character who is challenged by his own morals as he walks his way through a world that seems to have none.

Perhaps it’s a good thing that young people will have no clue who Powers was. In watching this film they may be drawn to his story as well as an in depth look at what the cold war actually was. While there is little doubt that artistic license was probably used in the portrayal of this tale the fundamentals are there and something can be learned from the film while being entertained as well. While it is extremely well made it is the story that counts and this one offers that in spades. The fact that it’s been nominated for best picture at this year’s Oscars is proof of that.

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