Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have not made a film since 2004’s The Terminal. Remember that classic? (I actually quite enjoy that film). Well, the duo who brought us Saving Private Ryan are bringing us a new war film, except this war is… colder. According to The Daily Pennsylvanian (via /Film), the previously untitled film (though referenced as St. James Place) now has a title: Bridge of Spies.
Unless there is a literal bridge of spies in this film, meaning a physical bridge made of the bodies of deceased spies, this title is just really boring to me. Maybe this is what Spielberg thinks makes for an edgy title nowadays. Then again, I got a similar vibe from the Edge of Tomorrow title, and that ended up being a great movie. Here’s hoping this is one as well. I typically enjoy what Spielberg puts out, so I have confidence it will be.
To be fair, the “bridge of spies” was a real thing. It was a bridge that linked West Berlin to Potsdam in East Germany. The term comes from intelligence agencies trading prisoners along this bridge. That doesn’t make it a good title though.
The film is the true story of James Donovan (Hanks), an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.
On another note (music pun!), John Williams will score the film as a surprise to absolutely no one. He has scored every film Spielberg has directed, aside from the TV movie Duel and his segments in Twilight Zone: The Movie. So, get ready to hear those sweeping orchestrations, people.
I am looking forward to this film quite a bit. I’m hoping Spielberg makes something with a bit more edge than he has of late, which I think would be interesting and something I know he is capable of doing. The film is slated to come out on October 16th.
