Bridge of Spies.

Only yesterday was I having a debate with my mother about a Roman Polanski film called 'The Pianist' and how any film that is released around the same time as a Polanski or Spielberg film can wave goodbye to the awards because these guys will win them- they make such incredible films that it is hard for anything else to even get a look in.

I mention it because 'Bridge of Spies' is one of the latest Spielberg films and unsurprisingly Mark Rylance won the Oscar for best supporting actor in this film. Spielberg does not make bad films so let us not waste time in talking about how fantastic it was. Spielberg films are moving films, normally historically relevant, cultivating and emotive. They are never going to be the films that keeps you jumping up and down, laughing or even sitting on the edge of your seat because they are the films that show true workmanship, the films that keep you sat quietly with your heart in your mouth and a tear in your eye. Not full of suspense but enough to make you worry a little throughout the entire film. 'Bridge of Spies' is nothing different. Once again Spielberg has taken a part of history that those that do not spend their spare time reading historical books, watching the history channel and did not do a degree in history, know very little (if anything) about. Watching these films is an education in every way.

Tom Hanks is the man chosen to carry this film, to star as the hero- a true hero- not a war hero, not a man that carried dead bodies and injured soldiers from the front but a man that was chosen to defend a guilty man, defended him, kept on fighting for him and in the end saved three lives in doing so. He then became a real hero because he became the negotiator that saved over 9 thousand lives in Cuba. This was not an emotional display from Tom Hanks. Emotion is maybe not something that serves him well but he doesn't need it. Measurement is the key and Tom Hanks measured his character and his performance. It wasn't about showing emotion, it was about holding back emotion when the time called for it to come out in abundance, when emotion may have lead you astray. Composure served him well but it did not in any way harness his determination. No one cared about the young man that he fought so hard to save, they only cared about the American spy but he was determined to save both Americans in one go. That is determination and courage that I know that I wouldn't have. I would love to have it, to be able to do what I wanted but I have to be honest and say that I would not have taken the case in the first place. I don't love a country enough to do what he did- to be disowned and face probably death to save one man that the country was going to hate. I don't think that I could do it. It is a gift, a skill and a rare one at that which most people don't have.

Mark Rylance won the award so we must mention him and dedicate the appropriate time to the man who stole the show. All the focus for so long was on Tom Hanks but in the last few scenes when he decides to stand with Donovan (Hanks) on the bridge and wait for the other American to be released he earnt the award and more. The unity grabbed you with both hands and held you tightly. You could pick out the two best actors in the world, place them together in that scene and not be able to create what was displayed on the screen in that scene. Take away Mark Rylance and you would have nothing, it all came down to what he did and how he did it. Not known for much, watch out for the BFG, as he is the new face of the BFG make sure that you see it when it comes out and make a note of his name for future supporting roles.