Bridge of Spies (Movie, 2015)

Absolutely riveting film. This one was inspired by true events as depicted in "Bridge of Spies: A True Story of the Cold War" by Giles Whittell; and other sources...so it is a good history lesson. 

The period is the late 50s and early 60s when the Cold War and the fear it engendered was at the point of paranoia. A high level KGB Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel, is captured in 1957 and though ably defended by James Donovan, is convicted in Federal Court. In 1960, the U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers is shot down over the Soviet Union and Powers is captured. Tom Hank's role of an insurance lawyer thrust into defending a known Russian spy and then brokering his exchange for Gary Powers is sometimes surreal, sometimes emotional but always with a touch of presence not often seen these days. Mark Rylance - one of the best stage actors of this era - is superb as Rudolph Abel; and the support cast, especially Amy Ryan as Donovan's wife, Mary, is also top drawer.