Steven Spielberg doesn't make nearly enough pictures these days, so when he re-teams with Tom Hanks and has a screenplay co-written by the Coen Brothers, it's a must see. The trailers promised a beautifully made picture, but they weren't very compelling.

And neither is BRIDGE OF SPIES. While it covers historically important events - the trial of a Soviet spy in America and his subsequent exchange for two captured Americans - it doesn't feel nearly important enough even though we're told it is. The screenplay is not compelling or engaging enough and the picture clocks in at well over two hours, overstaying its welcome.

In the trailers, it would appear that Tom Hanks is playing a lawyer who is in way over his head when it comes to dealing with spies and negotiations. But that's not true in the film. He is a very smart, capable man and Hanks ably anchors the picture.

The early scenes of spy craft and the pursuit of the spy are very well done and start things off strong.

The negotiation scenes are also solid and are filled with sharp dialogue and humor that often undercuts the drama in just the right way.

BRIDGE OF SPIES is by no means a bad picture, it just never grabs you as a viewer. And similar to some of Spielberg's recent work it is too long and has too many endings. He has a couple of pictures lined up, THE BFG and READY PLAYER ONE and I sincerely hope both are excellent. You won't be wasting your time if you choose to see BRIDGE OF SPIES, but it's by no means a must see.