Bridge of Spies

I was not interested in seeing this movie at all until I discovered the Coen brothers co-wrote the script. Steven Spielberg has been doing this same kind of Hollywood "blockbuster" for years- simple to follow epics with musical scores manipulating audience reactions, a couple of acceptable box office stars and the no-cost-too-great period costumes, hair, makeup and sets- though many of these sets were barely concealed sound stages ( the scene at Check Point Charlie a prime example of this) And Tom Hanks is... let's face it... playing Tom Hanks. As I said, only the promise of a clever script encouraged me to go see it.

Well- all I can say is... uh... the script, despite one or two distinctive Coen tongue in cheek lines, was plodding and predictable- the plot lines thin, too many Hollywood chefs stirring that broth. The Coens are way more effective making their own movies.

The one redeeming feature of this movie was the subtle, understated, performance of Mark Rylance as Russian spy Rudolph Abel, who stole every scene out from under the earnest American cast. If you don't recognize the name, it could be because he is a British actor - not a star- just recently seen as Cromwell on the PBS British tv series Wolfhall. But even his performance is not a sufficient enough reason for me to recommend this movie.