Tom Hanks plays Jim Donovan, an insurance lawyer at the height of the Cold War. He is assigned to defend an accused Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel, who no one wants to ever see the light of day again. But, as is the American Way, he must be seen to be given a competent defense.

The American public tars Donovan and his family with the same brush as his client and his reputation, good name and even his home are attacked.

However, when an American spy plane is shot down over Russian airspace, Mr Donovan is requested to travel to East Berlin to act as a non-governmental go-between, negotiating the prisoner swop – the pilot for Abel.

The problem comes in the form of a young American student caught on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall as it was being built. Donovan refuses to leave him behind, and perseveres with his quest to trade Abel for both Americans, in defiance of his CIA handler…

A lot of this movie is about appearances, and the battle for control in delicate situations. Hanks plays it very cool, calm and collected and stands his ground on all fronts.

Dim lighting gives the film that 1960’s feeling, and the juxtaposition and quiet comparison between the Soviet bloc countries and the USA in the train scenes was a nice touch. However, this movie is unlikely to resonate with a mass audience. It trundles along, without much fanfare. Hardly a highlight among this year’s stand-out films.

7/10.