Bridge of Spies (2015)

Scott Shepherd: Hoffman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Hoffman : Has your guy talked?

  James Donovan : Excuse me?

  Hoffman : You met him. Has he talked? Has he said anything yet?

  James Donovan : We're not having this conversation.

  Hoffman : Of course not.

  James Donovan : No, I mean we are really not having it. You're asking me to violate attorney-client privilege.

  Hoffman : Aw, come on, counselor.

  James Donovan : You know, I wish people like you would quit saying, 'Aw, come on, counselor'. I didn't like it the first time it happened today. A judge said it to me twice. The more I hear it, the more I don't like it.

  Hoffman : OK, well, listen, I understand attorney-client privilege. I understand all the legal gamesmanship, and I understand that's how you make your living, but I'm talking to you about something else, the security of your country. I'm sorry if the way I put it offends you, but we need to know what Abel is telling you. You understand me, Donovan? Don't go Boy Scout on me. We don't have a rule book here.

  James Donovan : You're Agent Hoffman, yeah?

  Hoffman : Yeah.

  James Donovan : German extraction.

  Hoffman : Yeah, so?

  James Donovan : My name's Donovan. Irish, both sides. Mother and father. I'm Irish and you're German. But what makes us both Americans? Just one thing. One. Only one. The rule book. We call it the Constitution, and we agree to the rules, and that's what makes us Americans. That's all that makes us Americans. So don't tell me there's no rule book, and don't nod at me like that you son of a bitch.

  [Gets up to leave] 

  Hoffman : Do we need to worry about you?

  James Donovan : Not if I'm left alone to do my job.

• James Donovan : I think they have...

  Hoffman : What?

  James Donovan : ...snipers.

  Hoffman : I'm sure they do.

  James Donovan : How are you sure they do?

  Hoffman : Because *we* have snipers.

• Hoffman : Look at the map now. You shouldn't take it with you. You're looking at a map, you're an American, you're a spy. You could well be detained. Just avoid interacting with people generally. You don't belong, so don't stick out. Food is scarce over there and things have started to fall apart. There are gangs, and rule of law is less firmly established over there. And definitely stay away from the Wall. On their side, there's a line cleared of buildings along the Wall. They call it the "Death Line." Cross it and you'll be shot.

  James Donovan : Is there any outcome here where I'm not either detained or shot?

  Hoffman : Don't worry too much about what Michener said.

  James Donovan : No, I'm worried about what you're saying.

• Hoffman : This is exactly what you weren't supposed to do.

  James Donovan : My instructions were to feel out the situation.

  Hoffman : Your instructions were to get Powers, not Pryor. That was not the original deal. You fouled it all up!

  James Donovan : How do you know? I feel pretty good about it.

  Hoffman : You fucked it all up!

  James Donovan : Oh, don't worry. I think it's gonna be fine.

  Hoffman : How do you know? You don't know that.

  James Donovan : Look, this whole thing has been to feel me out. Would I swap one for one and which one? But I said, "No, two for one." So they know where we stand.

  Hoffman : Yeah, what if they think about it and say, uh... "Forget it! You keep our guy, we keep your guys"?

  James Donovan : Well, then I have fucked it all up.