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Jan 22, 2017Nursebob rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Despite a few of his signature Apple Pie moments, this is one of Director Steven Spielberg’s more captivating films with a literary script penned by the Coen brothers and superb performances from its international cast. Far from the black and white morality of "Schindler’s List" or "Saving Private Ryan", in "Bridge of Spies" Spielberg views the Cold War through varying shades of grey. Although they are working on opposite sides both Abel and Powers are conscientious men carrying out their assignments with equal diligence—their own opposing convictions highlighting the overall unease of the late 50s when atomic paranoia, fierce nationalism, and East-West xenophobia was the stuff of headlines. Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography, coupled with an Oscar-nominated score and production design take an already fascinating page in history and turn it into a widescreen epic that hops from the sunny streets of New York City to the snowy ruins of East Berlin—scenes of Powers’ plane being shot down had me gripping the sides of the couch. A highly polished yet old-fashioned political thriller.