‘Bridge Of Spies’ is a film which needs the viewers’ attention- especially if you are not well versed with history of Cold War. Many things are left for the viewers to understand- the director takes that liberty is assuming that everyone has done their homework well. On several occasions as a viewer one might feel too many characters are being introduced and too many intricacies exist in the plot line. Watch it for the charming Tom Hanks- no character is alien to this actor. He makes it the most endearing – as always.

…the politics comes with dollops of morality and sweet sentimentality, all coming together in the person of — yes — Tom Hanks.

Based on a true story, the film brings together director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks together for the fourth time. Add the Coen Brothers who spit-and-polished the script by Matt Charman and you have a dream team. It is ingredients like these which make for Oscar baits, and, make no mistake, Bridge of Spies is likely to be mentioned in the noms soon.

This is a spy movie for adults, where individuals don’t stand for themselves but for larger invisible forces we can’t see that exist implicitly in each interaction. This focus on the institution and process shatters any claim of inherent nobility to diplomacy as a profession.

A gripping thriller, this one is bold, audacious and shocking…

The film has an old-world charm that is cozily ensconced in vividly enumerated, shadily expressive visual dynamics that scores high with it’s carefully calibrated tension and crafty cinematic constructs. Donovan is an intelligent hero who does not need the appendage of super-heroic powers. And Tom Hanks just makes it stick!

Hanks, who teams up with Spielberg for the fourth time, brings his adept everyman quality to the role of Donovan, sniffling his way through snow-blown Berlin trying to secure “a happy ending for everyone.” The film has the classic Spielberg stamp imprinted all over.

Bridge of Spies is surprisingly warm and funny for a film about the Cold War – a time full of morally grey areas. It doesn’t shrink away from the nastiness of the time – people are shot trying to leave East Berlin – but it’s still quite optimistic with its character portrayals.