Bridge of Spies
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: October 16, 2015
7.6
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 630 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
525
Mixed:
82
Negative:
23
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
Xan_RyilDec 3, 2015
I think this movie to some extent left me disappointed (Much like Lincoln, just lesser). I was left confused because I went to see (As name suggests) a movie full of spies. But it started with a rather legal drama flavour and proceeded to theI think this movie to some extent left me disappointed (Much like Lincoln, just lesser). I was left confused because I went to see (As name suggests) a movie full of spies. But it started with a rather legal drama flavour and proceeded to the second half as thriller and ended with .. Well I don't know what to call the ending. I was so confused about what is going on in James Donovan's mind or what is his code of conduct which is making him make odd choices. That part is for writer. Now what I missed the most was John Williams, a movie like this could have worked a lot better with a progressive score to compliment it's pace but Thomas Newman's work is highly mediocre.
On the bright side, Tom Hanks was very good with the performance. His best since Charlie Wilson's War (resemblance between both characters as negotiators and involvement of Russia). Costumes, Editing and Sets were worth praising too.
Biggest thumb down towards Mr. Speilberg for using very old tactics of basing the humour between two key characters, in this case James Danavon and Rudolf Abel (both contender for Oscar), did not work. Same joke too many times. And movie also lacked intensity. There was not a single moment we felt that James' plan would not fall through.
Overall, movie is watch-able for it's not mater much departments, which makes it not much enjoyable.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
AxeTOct 25, 2015
There is nothing wrong with this movie. It's very well made and acted. The true story is good and it can be seen why it was of interest to Hollywood especially for its relevant and very obvious analogies to today's issues of governmentThere is nothing wrong with this movie. It's very well made and acted. The true story is good and it can be seen why it was of interest to Hollywood especially for its relevant and very obvious analogies to today's issues of government spying, treatment of prisoners and traitors, and general moralities concerning individuals. All that and it's still just not very stirring. Some critics are being advertised with the claim it's Spielberg's best since "Saving Private Ryan". I don't agree. I'd give "Munich" a 10.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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6
netflicOct 19, 2015
When Steven Spielberg makes a movie, one can expect something extra-ordinary.
When Coen brothers write a script for it, what can go wrong? And when critics give this movie good reviews, one’s expectations go high.
Unfortunately too oftenWhen Steven Spielberg makes a movie, one can expect something extra-ordinary.
When Coen brothers write a script for it, what can go wrong? And when critics give this movie good reviews, one’s expectations go high.

Unfortunately too often for me, when expectations are high, I end up disappointed.

The movie is solid, the story of Cold War prisoner exchange between Soviet Union and United States is amazing. (Some people might remember when American pilot Powers was exchanged for a Russian spy Abel). Tom Hanks once again proved that he is one of the best actors. But can I call this movie great? Or even very good? Hardly. Too many cliches, characters are flat and simplistic. People are either good or bad, and we know better that it is much more complex and subtle than that. Especially in politics. Overall, I did like the movie but my score is 6 out of 10.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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4
NedRyerson1Feb 13, 2016
Bridge of Spies is another Spielberg’s failed attempt to sneak back in big cinema, a category that this director abandoned a long time ago. Here the scenario is one more time the war, and The Cold War in order to make people believe that isBridge of Spies is another Spielberg’s failed attempt to sneak back in big cinema, a category that this director abandoned a long time ago. Here the scenario is one more time the war, and The Cold War in order to make people believe that is an original theme on his filmography. The protagonist is again a suffered hero, with incredible virtues, like Schindler, standing all by himself against a conflict of catastrophic proportions. Seems well until now, but this film turn itself into the new reference for slowness, there are no major scenes, the storytelling doesn’t exist and the viewer gets lost several times. Definitely Tom Hanks puts all pieces together, a really convincing performance, without him all the movie falls into the abysm. The Coen Brothers in the script were a big disappointment, their classic irony and mystery is absent. Spielberg did something right this time, getting rid of cheap sentimentalism and that is something to be grateful for; although there is still too much to work on. I still have faith on him.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
ydnar4Jan 16, 2016
Any film that brings two powerhouses together like Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg gets attention and Bridge of Spies is no different. These two guys had already collaborated for a few films like Saving Private Ryan and Catch Me If You Can soAny film that brings two powerhouses together like Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg gets attention and Bridge of Spies is no different. These two guys had already collaborated for a few films like Saving Private Ryan and Catch Me If You Can so you knew that this would be an interesting film. Honestly although I still think that Bridge of Spies is a good movie I find it very comparable to Spielberg's Lincoln from 2012. It is almost all dialogue. Bridge of Spies does not have very many scenes that are that tense, sure the dialogue is good and Tom Hanks is as solid as ever but this could be a good movie to go to sleep to. I still had to give it a solid rating because I know this film is still good I just wish there could've been a bit more excitement. It the end I found the film to be a little flat.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
YorkManDec 29, 2015
Good film, great acting, good story, great direction. Let down by 2 things.

1st is the length, film is way too long and has far too many unnecessary scenes. 2nd is that as a PG-13 (12A) rated film, the production couldn't represent theGood film, great acting, good story, great direction. Let down by 2 things.

1st is the length, film is way too long and has far too many unnecessary scenes.
2nd is that as a PG-13 (12A) rated film, the production couldn't represent the time the film is set in in a realistic manner. Due to restrictions on how smoking/drinking/casual sexism/casual racism can (and actually more importantly can't) be shown... We get a fact-based film, set in a world of complete fiction.

Beyond that, if you can just accept they spent millions on sets/props/locations etc, but then sanitized it to the point of absurdity, then this film is definitely worth a watch.

For me, it's merely another reason to double-check a film's 'rating' before deciding if it's going to recreate a historical period with any accuracy.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
lemonyspricketOct 17, 2015
I fell asleep during this movie, and I love history and documentaries. This movie just moved to slooooowwwww. The best thing about the movie was Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance who I became acquainted with in Wolf Hall. But they couldn't evenI fell asleep during this movie, and I love history and documentaries. This movie just moved to slooooowwwww. The best thing about the movie was Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance who I became acquainted with in Wolf Hall. But they couldn't even save this movie. I'm not sure where all the high marks are coming from. I think it was mediocre at best. Kudos to Mark, high five for Tom, but people, wait until it goes on Amazon Prime and save your money.… Expand
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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6
marco34laOct 18, 2015
I'm giving this a 6 - just so that it qualifies as a 'mixed' review on Meta, but it's a solid 7. I see the average user score is above 8 and that's too high. My expectations were high going into this film due to the scores, and i leftI'm giving this a 6 - just so that it qualifies as a 'mixed' review on Meta, but it's a solid 7. I see the average user score is above 8 and that's too high. My expectations were high going into this film due to the scores, and i left disappointed...as did most movie-goers. It's a solid film, that's about 1/3 courtroom drama. It's very low energy, NOT a spy thriller, as one might think. It's a story based on real people and as such, it tends to be a bit boring. The movie tries very hard to feel bigger and more important than it was - especially at then end - which happened to have about 3 endings. Overall, nice story - nothing riveting though.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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6
BKMFeb 8, 2016
The acting is excellent, the screenplay is smart and the parallels to current events give the proceedings a timely and morally relevant quality. Yet despite all of its admirable traits, Bridge of Spies never truly excites or elicits anyThe acting is excellent, the screenplay is smart and the parallels to current events give the proceedings a timely and morally relevant quality. Yet despite all of its admirable traits, Bridge of Spies never truly excites or elicits any genuine emotions. It's as chilly as the East Berlin winter that the protagonist must deal with for the majority of the story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
fungusgnatMar 6, 2016
This is the kind of thing at which Spielberg excels, and the story, with its parallels and ironies intact, maybe even pumped a bit (Abel seems a more honorable man than Powers), is well told. But Spielberg seems a bit bored by his material,This is the kind of thing at which Spielberg excels, and the story, with its parallels and ironies intact, maybe even pumped a bit (Abel seems a more honorable man than Powers), is well told. But Spielberg seems a bit bored by his material, as if he were hankering to do something a little less Meaningful. Nonetheless, I’ve no major complaints about "Bridge," an engrossing period piece with fine acting by Hanks and his supporting cast and ghostly blue-&-white cinematography by long-time Spielberg collaborator Kaminski.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
dinojay2Mar 3, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good acting and a very interesting Cold War setting, but found the overall tone disappointingly hokey. What they seemed to want to show as compassion struck me more as a need for attention and self-aggrandizement on the part of Donovan. The typical sort of sugar-coating you often see in "true" stories. And all the feel-good justification of his big gambles felt like it was more for our benefit than any likely rendition of what actually happened. Hanks was great, as usual, and Rylance was terrific also, but considering how small and one-dimensional his role was I really have a hard time understanding how it warranted Best Supporting Actor, other than his previous Tony awards.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
foxgroveDec 11, 2015
A good looking, but too stately and ultimately boring cold war espionage story that outstays its welcome by over half its length. Things start promisingly and one could be forgiven for thinking that the quality was going to match that of lastA good looking, but too stately and ultimately boring cold war espionage story that outstays its welcome by over half its length. Things start promisingly and one could be forgiven for thinking that the quality was going to match that of last year’s brilliant ‘Imitation Game’. Unfortunately, after 60 minutes the attention starts to wander and the not particularly compelling story begins to lose impetus. The acting is reasonably good, although Tom Hanks is nowhere near his best. The cinematography, however, is gorgeous. This is journeyman Spielberg, probably less, and is punctuated with his usual trademark of mushy music. In his good work his scores are integral and accepted despite all their obvious manipulation. In his underwhelming stuff, of which this must definitely be counted, they almost become the final nail in the coffin.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
jrodfilmsOct 30, 2015
overall, its a good movie but it does have some faults.the middle is a bit messy and it seems like theres a few different movies rolled into one. good to watch on a rainy day.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
TheKavehJOct 18, 2015
I honestly don't think it deserves an Oscar nomination, for Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, or the movie itself, but Bridge of Spies is still worth going to the movies to see it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
BrianAD9Jan 18, 2016
Written by the Coens, directed by Stephen Speilberg, and starring Tom Hanks. That should be all you need to know. However, this movie, while good, is kind of boring. It's not even close to being as good as I had hoped it would be, and IWritten by the Coens, directed by Stephen Speilberg, and starring Tom Hanks. That should be all you need to know. However, this movie, while good, is kind of boring. It's not even close to being as good as I had hoped it would be, and I didn't have super-high expectations anyway, as odd as that may sound. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But it's not THAT good. Tom Hanks was great as always, but it's not a stand-out role. Mark Rylance has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but he was just a good character. He could have been replaced by anybody and it would have been good. And on that note, this film should NOT be nominated for best picture. There were at least two other films that didn't get nominated that are far superior in every way that didn't get a nomination. It does have some interesting direction, and I liked the way it moved along at some points, but then there were a couple times when I didn't like how it went from one scene to another. Bridge of Spies isn't great, but isn't bad. I think it would have been better as a novel than a film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
KymBrunnerNov 7, 2015
I'm starting to think Spielberg = melodrama. Love Tom Hanks, great set design and authenticity to the era, but a somewhat predictable ending that takes 2 1/2 hours to play out with not much action. I found it difficult to stay awake at times,I'm starting to think Spielberg = melodrama. Love Tom Hanks, great set design and authenticity to the era, but a somewhat predictable ending that takes 2 1/2 hours to play out with not much action. I found it difficult to stay awake at times, with long courtroom scenes and not much meat or action to the plot. Lots of waiting for answers. They are calling this a thriller? Not so much...… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
eva3si0nDec 19, 2020
Bridge of Spies is divided into 2 parts. The first time the action takes place in the United States, excellent judicial drama. With a slow development of events, which is noteworthy completely without musical accompaniment (a rarity in modernBridge of Spies is divided into 2 parts. The first time the action takes place in the United States, excellent judicial drama. With a slow development of events, which is noteworthy completely without musical accompaniment (a rarity in modern cinema). The second part, this is already an action movie in the style of M (James Bond), where the whole action is accelerated and at least repel the turnover of musical accompaniment. And the second part is terrible. In the first, the USSR and the GDR are shown as barbarians. Great propaganda. The most important thing is how Spielberg fakes the facts. Berlin was bombed not by the USSR, but by the Allies. The USSR, on the contrary, helped restore the ruins of eastern Berlin. And finally Abel in the USSR was recognized as a hero and confirmed the status of a spy. And to talk about the light in which the GDR is represented does not have to, some kind of ghetto.
And most importantly, 2 part of the film is a natural B-movie, which you watch by inertia and only for the sake of acting by Tom Hanks.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
BroyaxJan 10, 2017
Une réalisation solide, des acteurs impeccables, une reconstitution soignée : de ces points de vue, le Pont Des Espions est un bon "produit", on sent même un effort certain pour reproduire l'atmosphère de la guerre froide, un effort certainUne réalisation solide, des acteurs impeccables, une reconstitution soignée : de ces points de vue, le Pont Des Espions est un bon "produit", on sent même un effort certain pour reproduire l'atmosphère de la guerre froide, un effort certain mais bien vain. On a même une légère guimauve qui vient pointer son groin parfumé à l'eau de rose...

Une guimauve qui participe à cette belle propagande impérialiste pro-américaine de l'Oncle Sam triomphant des méchants bolchéviks et des pays du Pacte de Varsovie et qui se bat pour la liberté contre les méchants Rouges blablabla etc (remplir et déverser ici toute la litanie habituelle de nos chers amis d'outre-atlantique, la main sur le coeur, ça c'est mon fusil, patati patata).

En fait, même les films d'espionnage (américains) de l'époque (de la guerre très froide) ne sombrent pas autant dans cette vieille retape et vieille rengaine. Je n'en aurais pas cru Spielberg capable, capable à ce point : par son film, il a clairement servi la Patrie, la Nation et la Gloire de nos Armes, Amen (putain !).

En dehors de cette "radicalisation" mal venue, le Pont souffre de longueurs : 2h20 pour organiser un échange sur un putain de pont, mais dis donc Stevie, tu te foutrais pas notre gueule par hasard ? Quant à l'atmosphère, malgré tous ses efforts et tout ce pognon, il ne suffit pas d"énumérer les clichés les uns à la suite des autres pour la reconstituer, pour lui donner vie ; il faudrait du talent, aussi.

Evidemment, ça fait trèèès longtemps que Spielberg l'a perdu, son talent. Alors il nous pond ses machins, mécaniquement, sans passion. Malgré ce sacré Tom Hanks ! ce gâchis tout de même.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
MattKingsburyJun 23, 2020
Bridge of Spies is a good movie, supported by strong acting from Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Everything holds that little bit extra weight when you realise the film is loosely based on a true story. The film is well shot - even if the lensBridge of Spies is a good movie, supported by strong acting from Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Everything holds that little bit extra weight when you realise the film is loosely based on a true story. The film is well shot - even if the lens distortion at times is off-putting - but sadly the entire film just feels...a bit uninspired. The film comes and goes, but I don't feel like a lasting impression has been left. Some action scenes feel like they're there just to say "hey, are you still watching?".… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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