Bridge of Spies (2015)

Alan Alda: Thomas Watters Jr.

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lynn Goodnough : The Soviet spy they caught, we want you to defend him. Here's the indictment.

  James Donovan : Wow. I'm not sure I wanna pick that up.

  Thomas Watters Jr. : The accused doesn't know any lawyers. The federal court tossed it into our lap. The Bar Committee took a vote. You're the unanimous choice.

  Lynn Goodnough : It was important to us... well, it's important to our country, Jim, that this man is seen as getting a fair shake. American justice will be on trial.

  James Donovan : Well, of course, when you put it that way, it's an honor to be asked. But, Lynn, I'm an insurance lawyer. I haven't done criminal work in years.

  Lynn Goodnough : It's like riding a bike, isn't it? You distinguished yourself at Nuremberg.

  James Donovan : I was on the prosecution team.

  Lynn Goodnough : Not the point. You're no stranger to criminal law. Jim, look at the situation. The man is publicly reviled.

  James Donovan : And I will be, too.

  Lynn Goodnough : Yes, in more ignorant quarters. But that's exactly why this has to be done, and capably done. It can't look like our justice system tosses people on the ash heap.

  James Donovan : [flipping through the indictment paperwork]  Suppose I did, what's the evidence look like?

  Lynn Goodnough : Pretty overwhelming.

• Thomas Watters Jr. : Jim, you did a great job. You fulfilled your mandate and then some. But the man is a spy. The verdict is correct and there's no reason to appeal it.

  James Donovan : There's ample procedural reason. We know the search is tainted. And Fourth Amendment issues will always weigh more heavily in an appellate form. We've got a good shot.

  Thomas Watters Jr. : What the goddamn hell are you talking about? We were supposed to show he had a capable defense, which we did. Why are you citing the goddamn Constitution at me?

  James Donovan : Tom, if you look me in the eye and tell me we don't have grounds for an appeal, I'll drop it right now.

  Thomas Watters Jr. : I'm not saying that. You know what I'm saying.

  Mary Donovan : Tom is saying there's a cost to these things.

  Thomas Watters Jr. : That's right.

  Mary Donovan : A cost to both your family and your firm.