REVIEW: BRIDGE OF SPIES

4/5

Saving Private Hanks.

141 Minutes. Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan & Alan Alda. Director: Steven Speilberg.

Catch this if you can! In the coldest war in the coldest Winter, Tom Hanks reunites with a director as legendary as he is an actor. Following the banding with his brother Steven Spielberg for 'Saving Private Ryan', taking off with 'The Terminal' and caching up with Leonardo DiCaprio comes their new classic collaboration under the magnify glass, 'Bridge Of Spies'. A historical drama that continues the legendary mastermind behind 'Jaws', 'E.T.' and 'Jurassic Park's deeper turn into these shadows and corners of history after his brilliant 'Lincoln' biography and the stage he set with his 'War Horse' showcase. This spy game inspired by true events travels from throwing the book at classic courtroom drama in defense of an agent of the enemy, to Germany where the negotiation battle for a swap of two prisoners of war tries to break down barriers to the backdrop of the construction of the Berlin wall. With this union with the Soviets comes some literal and metaphorical themes that you best believe still translate to a lost today. Making for one sensational story penned by Matt Charman and the collaborating Cohen's for a traditional tale thats texture off the slow burning pages of the script is even more of a testament throwback than 'Catch Me If You Can'. Billowing and blowing through the wind of a scotch bar, cigar room's ashtray. Smokin'.

From this fifties feeling first tote you can taste the tobacco and touch the tweed lining of a conversation piece that needs no action to thrill with it's old school "son of a b####"  firm truth handling. Yet if has plenty of perfectly nerve wracking set-pieces from an aerial assault that takes you back to all the horrors that soldiers younger than students had to endure in all its terrifying gravity, to some capered cat and mouse between the sidewalks of what seems like just another walk home at night, dripping in 'Road To Perdition' rain and double agent topcoats and umbrellas. This is as outstandingly old fashioned as the chrome and paint on the vintage automobiles sweeping past. Spielberg may have brought wow to our wonderment in the golden era of the 80's and the 90's more than this, but in his whiskey years he's far from being on ice with what just may be his greatest looking picture yet. Mesmerizing in both its tone and rolling delivery that is slow, but oh so satisfying in all it's answers to it's thought provoking themes that will resonate the more you leave the cinema and switch on your television to watch the news...or pick up your 'Time' magazine, because this is that iconic and classically timeless. Just like Spielberg himself, he's more than still got it or on top of his game...he's in a whole new lane. Scene to snow scaped scene of sensational symbolism and stakes. Bringing the best and highest out of his acting talent from the amazing Amy Ryan in wonderful, stand by your man wife role that is far from playing. To legendary M.A.S.H. actor Alan Alda, who is back with this and 'The Longest Ride' and hasn't been this great since almost a decade ago with DiCaprio in 'The Aviator'. And let's hear it for character actor of the moment Jesse Plemons who is having quite the week with this and Johnny Depp's Boston 'Black Mass'.

Yet everyone is about to hear it for Mark Rylance. The Olivier award winning actor may just join that big name statuette in his trophy cabinet with one names Oscar, because the Academy are going to love this like when Barkhad Abdi starred sensationally alongside Mr. Tom for 'Captain Phillips'. And after the twice over snub of this return to classic form and the supporting look of 'Saving Mr. Banks', the Academy definitely owe thanks and more award appreciation to Hanks for more memories of mastermind like movie moments. He was robbed when it came to 'Phillips' and 'Mr. Banks', but now saving this private it's time for a fair exchange. You have to salute these two standing men, no knocks. Rylance in the corner, in the spy shadows backed up against a high silhouetted wall, but with the quite storm nervousness of a man that's scrapping below the subtle surface of what looks like a weathered but withstanding demeanor of someone taking it all in their slow stepping stride. It's the 'Best Supporting Actor' opponents that are the ones who should be scared...but would it help? Hanks' certainly does with his traditional acting that goes beyond words on the page of a script to the genuine humanity of a man that always plays it straight laced, even when going down the gangster road of 'Perdition'. But there's much more too it then that. As Hanks goes for gold whilst mining all he can out of a man that is giving his all and travelling so far so one man on the other side can walk just a few steps. But oh the significance of it all. And oh how good it is thanks to how great they are. Both their restrained passions are as understated as that statement is itself. Rylance is a real as it gets and Hanks is Hanks. With 'Saving' spirit, 'Philadelphia' soul, 'Cast Away' survival and 'Captain Phillips' resilience at 'Green Mile' lengths it's a dedication worth its weight and wait in gold and he'll share it with his co-star and director. Mission: Possible! Even with an U.N.C.L.E's worth for your bob this year, with the sleuth of spy movies that have come out this Cold War classic bridges all sorts of gaps. There's no secret to that kingmans gold standard service. TIM DAVID HARVEY.