Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (DVD)

An extremely engrossing period set spy drama adaption of the famous book and mini-series which sets itself down as a smart, involving drama and fulfills that promise exceptionally well in the hands of director Tomas Alfredson.

In the middle of the Cold War, in a beautifully drab and washed out London (drab never have been more beautifully shot, I might add) George Smiley is brought back into British Intelligence to try and flush out a mole in the organisation. A mole who, if he truly exists, has penetrated the highest levels of the service. With a list of suspects comprising men he has worked with sometimes for years, and a group of allies................Smiley slowly and methodically must try to detect who that person is.

The film itself is one of those pleasing films where, whilst it shouldn't be too complex to follow, also is filled with moments that you must catch at the time. It requires only patience and attention to be paid to it, and what emerges is a satisfyingly involved piece of cinema. Director Alfredson deftly shades the lives of all the main characters as the mystery envelops you, using an effective flashback structure to develop story.

Performances across the board are excellent, and with a cast like it has, that's no surprise. Gary Oldman is impressive in his work, keeping almost everything internal to his character, a man who spends more of his life watching and thinking rather than talking. But the entire cast also works. The period detail also looks bang on and the quality of everything in the film emerges from every scene.

A thoroughly involving, exceptionally made film.

I have to say i found this film a little overrated, considering all the hype! Theres no doubting the acting or indeed the overall look of the film, but it can be very slow going and quite difficult to follow. Maybe reading the book would help.

The plot requires careful attention and several viewings and might in fact be beside the point. What happens is less important than how it happens and the air of isolation and paranoia that surrounds it.

Imagine Kubrick had directed one of the Bourne series and you'd end up not far away from the atmosphereof this film. Grown up, mood-driven, superb. Gary Oldman deserves every plaudit as do the rest of the cast.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
A Cracking Spy Movie
Was a bit hesitant going to watch this, despite the rave reviews in the media.
The reason being that it was being described as a very good but very complicated Spy movie.
Where if you missed one line of dialogue, you would NOT GET IT.
I found it to be a pretty straight forward movie to follow, and also a very Entertaining one.
The opening 5 mins set the plot into motion in very dramatic fashion, and after that it is a calm and calculated drama.
Engrossing and Enjoyable and well Directed all the way.
The highlight of the movie is the Amazing Cast which is headed by the Always Sublime yet rather under rated Gary Oldman, he delivers one of those powerful performances by not doing much and remaining very mysterious throughout.
He is helped out in no small measure by Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Jones. John Hurt, Cathy Burke and the next big thing Tom Hardy. All the actors nail their roles with ease.
Highly recommended for most people, A Must Watch for fans of the Spy genre

This film is so over rated its completely boring the film never really goes anywhere, i literally fell asleep watching it, in the end i gave up watching it. A film should be made for entertaining people but this is just talking all the way through with no action. The kings speech worked with that cause that was the whole point and it was a classic. But in this it doesn't because it just simply should have some action parts and its far from a classic. I didn't even get the story and i usually pick up story plots everytime but this just skipped around so much and didn't seem to finish one part of the story explaining it clearly before it moved on to the next part. The only reason it hasn't had one star is because Tom Hardy and Colin Firths acting was solid as for the other actors i don't even know half of them and don't wish to because they aren't all that.