The latest Tom Hanks film, is a cracker. Set in the cold war period of 1957/8 it features the background of the negotiations to exchange Francis Gary Powers a downed U2 pilot and student Frederic Pryor for a Russian spy Col Rudolf Abel who was caught by the US while acting as a dead letter intermediary.

For those who haven't seen it, it was well worth the cost of the cinema ticket, Hanks was at his 'upholder of the law and constitutional dignity' best and Mark Ryland was excellent as a consummate professional spy. Both men regarded the other with some respect, Hanks trying to make the legal process follow the constitutional law. In answer to a CIA man, who he deemed descended from German stock, and his Donovan, from Irish stock, he suggested the only thing which made them both American was the constitution.

I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, it has a very frosty element and a heart-warming, feel good ending. Take plenty of popcorn it goes on for 140 minutes. Music is by Thomas Newman after John Williams had to cry off through illness, directed by Spielberg - it's got to be good.