Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Set in 1970's London, John Le Carre's espionage classic is eventually brought to the big screen. Already a huge award winning success on the small screen in the late 70's this movie had a lot to live up to.

Former British Intelligence agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) comes out of retirement to investigate and ultimately uncover a soviet double agent working within the Circus (headquarters of British Intelligence MI6).
This is not Smiley's first time to be involved in this investigation. His former chief (Control) played by John Hurt and Smiley himself were forced into retirement due to a botched attempt under their command in Budapest to retrieve information about the spy. It ended in bloodshed and caused embarrassment worldwide to the Government and MI6 heads.

The new chief of MI6 Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), his deputy Bill Haydon (Colin Firth) and several other members of the board are aware of an investigation taking place and are therefore reluctant to help Smiley and his right hand man Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) with their efforts.

Instead they mix it up with plenty of red herrings to keep the investigation off their scent. Smiley finds a ally in the shape of Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy). British Intelligence would seem to have underestimated Tarr's work ethic and whilst giving him the dirty and more menial work within the organisation, he has come up with a source and some vital information to help Smiley expose the mole.

As the title reads, Smiley learns early on in the movie who the Tinker, Tailor and the Solider are. But who is the Spy? And who can he trust?

I didn't actually see the TV version of the show, and as it was a seven part series it kind of explains a lot about the film's main flaw. There seems to be too many characters and subplots put into only 2 hours of film.
You need to have your wares about you to keep up. It's filmed with a lot of flashback and forwards which are not always effective or very relevant.

There are lots of pluses though. When you get to grips with the characters and the MI6 lingo it's really gripping and tense. The acting is amazing from a strong British cast. Gary Oldman is so at ease and convincing in the role that he doesn't need to step out of second gear.
John Hurt is as enigmatic as ever but the big surprise for me was Benedict Cumberbatch (TVs new Sherlock Holmes) as Smiley's aide. He steals every scene and was obviously not intimidated by the stellar more experienced cast.
Plus he has to have to coolest name in the business nowadays!!!

Overall this a brilliantly scripted and acted film that falls short of being called perfect viewing due to an excess of vague subplots and a glut of characters.

Definitely worth the ticket price though!


Score: 8/10