The second trailer for the Steven Spielberg (Lincoln) directed Bridge of Spies has debuted, with Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips) starring as an insurance lawyer recruited by the CIA to help bring in pilot detained by the Soviet Union. The Cold War drama was written by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen (Inside Llewyn Davis) along with Matt Charman, but the trailer proves that the film carries more of a Spielberg flair.
The trailer highlights all the emotional and historical resonance that one comes to expect from a Spielberg film, complete with an empowering and commanding score that works to give the film a desired inspirational touch. While these traits may seem common for a Spielberg led film, they may appear atypical of a Coen brothers penned story. However, audiences may remember the Coen brothers also penned last year’s Unbroken, which Angelina Jolie (By the Sea) went on to direct. That film was also a historical war drama, which told the inspiring story of Olympian Louis Zamperini, who spent 47 days in a raft after his plane crashed, only to later be caught by the Japanese and be held in a POW camp.
For Spielberg, Bridge of Spies is only the recent entry in a long line of historical war dramas that the director has worked on. Empire of the Sun, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, and Lincoln all dealt with different wars at different points of American history. Bridge of Spies will be Spielberg’s first foray into the Cold War – not including some elements of the much derided 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Bridge of Spies will be Spielberg and Hanks fourth collaboration together and first since 2004’s The Terminal. The two also worked together before that on Saving Private Ryan and Catch Me if You Can. Much like Hanks’ role in Captain Phillips, Bridge of Spies sees Hanks play an ordinary man placed in an extraordinarily trying situation. Both films are true stories, and Hanks may yet play a similar role in the upcoming Sully, which will be directed by Clint Eastwood (American Sniper) and tells the story of pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who safely landed an aircraft full of passengers on the Hudson River after the aircraft had become disabled.
Bridge of Spies also stars Alan Alda (The Longest Ride) and Amy Ryan (Birdman) and is set to be released by Dreamworks on October 16th.
Leave a Comment