Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy [DVD]

 

 

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For everyone comparing this new movie to the book and the tv series (and I am a fan of both) - Le Carre himself has said in interviews that he categorically did not want someone just copying the book or even the series. He wanted a new take on the story. Yes, it is different. Of course it would have been nice to have characters fleshed out a bit more, but then, I think that will be the problem with anyone who has read the book or seen the series - you expect the same thing stuffed into an hour something, and that is nigh on impossible. My only personal gripe is that I didn't really understand some seemingly superficial changes, like Sam Collins (in the book) being changed in name to Gerry Westerby (considering Gerry is a whole big character on his own in the second book, and ultra posh to boot), Czech Republic being changed to Hungary etc. But that is minor, and overall, I think this was a great, quiet movie, the kind of thing you just don't get anymore. To the commentator who said this movie was more about betrayal than spies, it's probably true that this was the emphasis, but in the book, it is just as much about the nature of betrayal in relationships as it is about spies (in the book see Guillam/Camilla, Smiley/Ann, Little Bill/Prideaux, Connie/The Circus and even reality as she knew it, etc etc), to the point where you wonder if there is anything redeeming about the world outside of the Circus.

Must admit, I'm quite surprised the critics dared to rate Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy so highly. Not because it isn't brilliant, which it is, but because critics have to consider their readership and, unfortunately, your average Joe-Public will not understand or appreciate this film. Yeah, I said it. I'm mostly going by the outraged 1-star customer reviews on here, where there are numerous complaints that the film was "boring" and "had no action in it". Truth is, they're right- It doesn't have much "action" in it. Actually, neither did The Shawshank Redemption, or Dirty Dancing, or Philadelpia, or Juno, or The Elephant Man for that matter. Hmm...
I would say that if you are finding the film boring or slow then you're simply not getting it, which is fine- it's just not your cup of tea. In fairness it is very literary, the plot can be hard to keep up with and the dialogue is jargonistic (but really shouldn't be too difficult to decipher).
At the other end of the scale are the pretentious, patronizing, narrow-minded purists with their nostalgic view of the original BBC TV series, which was excellent for it's day but really doesn't hold up very well at all. I can remember when TV didn't pander to such short attention spans, but watching it now the Alec Guinness version is just boring, and not in the moody, atmospheric way that it should be.
The real world of espionage is very far removed from the exploits of James Bond which have always been bare-faced escapist fun. The true face of the cold war in the 60's & 70's was this, a very private game played by lonely, vain, repressed old Oxbridge throwbacks in stuffy offices. British Intelligence was under-funded, ineffective and disliked by the CIA. Gary Oldman's cool, understated portrayal of George Smiley epitomizes all of this- rejected, out-of-touch, eager to get back into the game. I hadn't read the novel beforehand but had no trouble following the plot or being absorbed by the story. All of the performances are great and the direction beautiful. What you get is a dark, dense, intelligent, sophisticated film. You may feel a little lost at times, but that's okay. All the pieces fit together in the end, and pretty much every scene turns out to have its own significance.
My only niggle would be a moment where we get to spend what seems like ten minutes watching Tom Hardy's character kissing his girlfriend. It felt like an intermission, but maybe that's just me. Apart from that, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the best film I've seen for years.

`Let the Right One in' director Tomas Alfredson brings John Le Carre's classic source novel to life in a cerebral, atmospheric and wonderfully restrained film version that although ponderously paced, makes for a highly rewarding watch.

The casting is a veritable orgy of British acting talent, both seasoned and relatively new. In a marvellous piece of under-acting, Oscar-tipped Gary Oldman plays George Smiley, a world-weary and recently retired British agent recruited to hunt down a Russian mole hiding at the top of the British Secret Service, or `the circus', as it is referred to. To this end he enlists the help of young intelligence officer Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Mendel (Roger Lloyd-Pack), a retired police-officer. Further light is shed on the identity of the mole by disgraced agent Ricky Tarr (Tom Hardy), believed to have gone AWOL in Istanbul. Wonderful support and acting master classes are provided by a cast including Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, John Hurt, Kathy Burke and Toby Jones. Plot and character development is aided by a number of flash-backs, some, amusingly, to a Secret Service office Christmas party which also provides some background on Smiley's relationship with his estranged wife.

Tinker, Tailor's world of cold-war espionage is far removed from the super-spy thrillers we are used to from Hollywood. It is a grimy and seedy world of back-stabbing and dishonesty where the agents are bogged down by bureaucracy and budget constraints. Consequently the violence, when it arrives, has more of an impact.

Many of you will be well acquainted with the BBC's six part drama from 1979 which famously starred Alec Guiness as its protagonist, but comparisons are rather unfair. A two-hour feature film simply does not allow the time for the depth of characterisation of a six-part series. In this way, you may feel that some of the characters in Alfredson's film, and particularly those at the top of the circus, are a little underwritten. This is unfortunately inevitable, but while it may not have the depth of that production, plenty of ground is still covered and the grubby, deceitful and decidedly downbeat tone is perfectly illustrated.

The film is quite beautiful to look at. It is clear from the start that Alfredson is in no hurry as he allows the camera to linger on every face and every scene. This is not a criticism, far from it. The pace is slow and deliberate, but complements the subject matter, the cold-war era setting and the dark and unsettling mood perfectly. The ménage of 70s browns and greys are brought to the fore by the excellent blu-ray release, another triumph, with excellent depth of colour and clarity and sublime audio. A terrific transfer. For those interested, there are a multitude of extras including deleted scenes, cast commentaries, interviews with John Le Carre and Tomas Alfredson and a couple of interesting featurettes.

Do not be put off by talk of overly intricate plotting and confusing flashbacks. As the plot unfolds, viewing undoubtedly requires concentration, but reviewers have exaggerated the complexity of the plot. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you will understand it, and will be rewarded for your patience. 8/10.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A lot to live up to Sir Alec Guiness
First of all, I have to say that the big screen writers had a hard time compared to the BBC's screen writers as what to keep in and how to make it work and what to keep out... Read more

Published 3 hours ago by Dyfed, Bangor

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant adaptation
If you enjoy 007 style crash bang wallop spy movies, my advice is forget this one, it's much more subtle than that. Read more

Published 9 hours ago by Bookworm

3.0 out of 5 stars Didn't do it for me
With all the media hullabaloo and accolades I was expecting to sit down and be mesmerized by the cold war spy plot and the performance of Gary Oldman. I wasn't. Read more

Published 17 hours ago by T. M. Chaney

2.0 out of 5 stars Tinker Tailor Solder Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
This must be one of the most boring crime thrillers ever.
Almost fell asleep during the first 30min. Read more

Published 17 hours ago by K. Tierney

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the BBC production
I am an avid LeCarre follower and having read Tinker, Taylor, Soldier,Spy and obtained and watched
the BBC version this isn't up to scratch. Read more

Published 1 day ago by Owen Griffin

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant update
With hindsight I realise this was an excellent evenings entertainment enjoyed by several generations. Read more

Published 2 days ago by Mrs. Maureen M. King

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
compelling from the off. I understand why some people don't like it, there are no exploding helicopters it's all a bit understated and very austere. Read more

Published 2 days ago by M. D. Consterdine

2.0 out of 5 stars Buy the original
Regardless of this not being the book or the series...it is DULL and BORING!
I didn't get to know any of the characters and so i did not care about them. Read more

Published 2 days ago by Mrs. Susan E. A. Andrews

5.0 out of 5 stars For intelligent people
This is a film for people with at least half a brain. It was not supposed to be that faithful to the book. Read more

Published 2 days ago by Mr. P. J. Eldrett

4.0 out of 5 stars tinker tailor soldier spy
compelling to watch on a cold dark winter's night, especially if your imagination makes you a part of the film

Published 2 days ago by Ms. V. Mullins

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