 |
Title: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Director: Tomas Alfredson
|
| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents, though light on language and sex there is a good amount of violence. Recommended for ages 16 and up. |
Picture this: You work somewhere. It's your full time job. As such, you build relationships with co-workers who also work in that establishment. It's to the point where the annual Christmas party is actually an end of the year highlight for you. Now then, imagine you have now been hired because one of those people you consider to be a friend is actually a spy leaking valuable company information. This is the dilemma that drives Tomas Alfredson's “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” which is based on a novel by John le Carre that is said to have revolutionized the thriller at one point. I have not read the book, though I confess I can see why it would be a best seller if the movie is any indication.
 |
For most the pacing in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” will be somewhat “pokey” (for lack of a better word). There are many scenes of protagonist George Smiley (Gary Oldman) looking over clues on paper and trying to connect them with past memories. In many ways, he being the spy who has to catch “The Mole” is both his biggest advantage as well as his biggest shortcoming. He is deceptively smart. He is mostly quiet and subtle in many of his actions, but deep behind that shy nature is an observant man who knows how to connect the dots on even the smallest of things. However, he IS spying his friends, and sooner or later he'll have to arrest someone he likes for leaking sensitive British Intelligence information.
 |
This is the heart of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” that is sure to get overlooked by many people who have a hard time getting around the espionage aspect that this film has. The revelation of who “The Mole” is and what he's been doing is just a small part of the film. A mystery whose conclusion is well thought out and intelligent, but would be shallow without the care put into the lead. We don't get to know too many characters outside of George, but that's just as well, seeing that everyone in this story is a chess piece in a grand mystery that needs solving. But George…George has history with these people. His fond memories are that much more painful knowing that someone has been lying to him this whole time.
 |
Gary Oldman plays George perfectly as a quiet man just trying to sort out the painful truth. Most people might assume that Oldman is not acting because he's mostly quiet, but the acting is in the face. The pain he feels as the case goes on the betrayal that he ultimately feels (the fact that he knew betrayal was coming doesn't lessen the impact much). “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is likely to be criticized for being slow as the film is deliberately paced for a reason, but it's ultimately a fascinating character study combined with a satisfying mystery. Its payoff is well worth the price of admission as is Gary Oldman's subtle but brilliant performance.
  |
 |
|
|
Spaceriffic Review
Want to see us review this? Send a donation with your title request, and it will be done (might take awhile, but it will get done).
Click here for a list of films that have already been requested before you request something
