Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Theatrical review. Possible spoilers. Never underestimate Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, especially when they team up to make a movie. In one of the best dramatic films of the year, the story expands on real events surrounding the downing of a CIA spy plane over Russia in 1960. The film begins in 1957 when a suspected Russian agent, Rudolf Abel (wonderfully portrayed by Mark Rylance) is captured by the FBI. The grandfatherly-like Abel, doesn’t deny his activities, but never discloses any information to the Americans. As he goes to trial for a crime that could include the death penalty, the judge appoints a well-known law firm to represent Abel. The head of the firm, Thomas Watters, Jr. (Alan Alda) appoints James Donovan (Tom Hanks) to handle the case. Donovan is a bit surprised because, he practices insurance law and hasn’t worked on criminal cases in years. As Donovan learns later, Watters and Judge Byers (Dakin Matthews) expect a competent defense to show how the American justice system works, but clearly minds have been made up. About all that is left is when the death penalty will be carried out. Donovan discovers that a search warrant was never issued for evidence used in the case. But the judge rejects Donovan’s plea. When Donovan appeals, both he and his family come under fire, both figuratively and literally. While his appeal to the Supreme Court narrowly fails, Donovan is able to convince Byers to sentence Able to a long prison term rather than execution. His compelling argument is that there are spies on both sides and Able may come in handy in the future if one of our guys is caught. And sure enough, the prescient Donovan is correct. Shortly afterwards, Francis Gary Powers and his U2 plane is shot down over Russia. He is captured alive (much to the chagrin of the CIA), put in prison, interrogated and subsequently sentenced to a long term. During this time, the Cold War was at its height. The Berlin Wall was under construction separating the city and Germany into 2 states. One controlled by America and Western Europe and one by the Soviet Union. As residents scrambled to get to the West, an American student, Frederick Pryor (Will Rogers) is taken prisoner by the East Germans. It turns out he will be key in the final negotiations. The Soviets and the Americans decide that a prisoner exchange should take place, but neither government wants to acknowledge the collusion, so the negotiations are carried out by civilians. Donovan is recruited. He has now gotten to know Able quite well and likes him if not his assignment. Tom Hanks is perfect as the “everyman” lawyer. His conviction of what makes America great goes beyond flag waiving and reciting the pledge of allegiance. He believes in what makes the country great is more, including Constitutional guidelines and justice. Fifty years ago, Donovan would probably be played by Henry Fonda or James Stewart. The film is beautifully photographed. Watch for the color changes, not only from America to Russia but especially between East and West Berlin. The scenes in the East are only brightened by snow but even that has a murky tint. The cat and mouse negotiations between Donovan and his “contacts” with the Soviets (who hold Powers) and the East Germans (who hold Pryor) is brilliant as is Hanks portrayal. Highly recommended. One of the best films of the year.