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I will confess that I'm a Steven Spielberg fan, but even with that bias, "Bridge of Spies" is one of his best films. If you've read any reviews, you know that it focuses on James Donovan, the lawyer called upon to defend accused spy Rudolf Abel, and then, to negotiate Abel's exchange for U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers. Both Tom Hanks, as Donovan, and Mark Rylance, as Abel, turn in superb portrayals of their characters. Spielberg cements his reputation as the premier visual storyteller of our time, with his usual technical brilliance as well as the fact that every scene advances the story and no scene goes on more than necessary (unlike AI, for example). The music by Thomas Newman is effective, but not memorable. But some critics have given the film three-and-a-half stars, instead of four, and I would agree with that. There are some scenes where Spielberg just lays it on too thick. A bit of subtlety would have made this film perfect.

One confesses a sin or a crime. One admits something of which he thinks some people might disapprove. One revels in being a Steven Spielberg fan. Thanks for the review, Hank, and for reviving the movie board. I only wish I had something to contribute myself just now.