Movie: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Release Date: December 9, 2011 (NY, LA; limited: December 16)
Studio: Focus Features
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Screenwriter: Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan
Starring: Gary Oldman, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Svetlana Khodchenko
Genre: Drama
Official Website: FocusFeatures.com | TTSSmovie.com
IMDB Rating: 7.6
Story: Leave it to Tomas Alfredson (2008’s “Let the Right One In”) to craft such a tightly woven and intriguing spy thriller. Just three years after knocking the vampire world on its keester (sorry, Twi-hards and “True Blood” fans), Alfredson gives us “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” a quietly moving spy film that becomes a bit claustrophobic, but is compelling nonetheless.
George Smiley (Gary Oldman) and his boss (a brilliant John Hurt) are forced to leave MI6 after mangling an investigation. Smiley gets asked to return when there is a suspected mole in the agency. He’s the one who would know best.
The list of suspects includes Bill Haydon (Colin Firth), Percy Alleline (Toby Jones) and Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy). Percy is “Tinker,” Bill is “Tailor,” Roy Bland (Ciaran Hinds) is “Soldier,” and “Spy” is not to be revealed until the film’s end. As we dig deep into their lives and into the story, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” gives us events that happened in the past and events happening in the present story. There are times where all the information being displayed becomes slightly overwhelming, but still, Alfredson gives us one slow-burning thriller with great results.
Oldman is just flawless in every move here, and I’m surprised he didn’t receive a Golden Globe nod. Let’s hope Oscar doesn’t make the same mistake. He deserves some recognition. Here, he is a quiet, calm and cool character. He doesn’t speak a word for the first 20 minutes or so of the film, but his presence is intimidating.
Alfredson doesn’t create a spy film with flashy gadgets and fast-cutting action scenes. This thriller mainly takes place in boardroom meetings and on street corners, where information is exchanged and the clues slowly unravel. This may turn some filmgoers away, which is a shame, since it’s so well acted. Firth, Hardy and the rest of the supporting cast are all outstanding in their roles, but this is primarily Oldman’s film.
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is one tough film to follow, and that’s the main reason why I can’t say it’s one of the absolute best films to come out of 2011. It is one of the better films, and my opinion may change after another couple of viewings. There’s so much good about it that you’ll want to revisit it until it all becomes clear. This is a beautifully filmed and strongly acted mystery.
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