It’s ironic that films about intelligence agencies tend to be completely void of intelligence. They generally feature Tom Cruise or Liam Neeson doing lots of shooting and shouting. But Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is very different … in fact Cruise and Neeson might be the only actors who aren’t in it.
The large cast is full of the finest British acting talent, including Mark Strong, John Hurt, Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth, who fortunately seems to have recovered from that stutter he had in his last film. Write down your ideal British cast, and then compare it with this one. It’s the same isn’t it? If not, then you’re lying. Oscar season may still be a few months away, but Oldman and Cumberbatch deserve nominations (at the very least) for Best Actor and Supporting Actor respectively. The fact that the film will not be released in the US until the 9th of December shows obvious hopes for Academy Awards.
Based on a 1970s TV series, which was in turn based on a John le Carré novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is beautifully cinematic; director Tomas Alfredson has captivatingly artistic style and attention to detail. The film is shaped by its tone, remaining completely engaging for the full two hours because you are plunged right into the dark, smokey rooms of the “Circus.” It is this shadowy atmosphere, heightened by Alberto Iglesias‘ music, that characterises Tinker Tailor. Though there is definitely too much moody standing in the rain and broody looking out of windows.
From this atmosphere emerges a protracted storyline that unravels like a good episode of Lost, without the polar bears. This non-linear narrative is set against the background of the Cold War, which provides the constant feeling of threat, brinkmanship and mutually assured destruction forced upon the characters, not by the Soviets, but by each other.
Espionage is interesting, despite what most films would have you believe. Unlike the spies who just run around killing baddies and having sex (sometimes at the same time – I admit, I love that scene), Tinker Tailor‘s spies all feel like real people, each one a properly rounded character. This means we believe in them, and therefore care about them. When Clive Owen (the only other actor who isn’t in this film) kills five characterless bad guys every second, it becomes utterly meaningless; when only a few people get killed — and we believe in and care about those people — it is extremely powerful.
This film is stunningly realistic, and there is absolutely no running. It’s like a school corridor in that sense. Running and shouting is replaced by sitting and talking, often in rooms, often in cars. Not that the cars go fast; in fact they tend not to move at all. The point is, Alfredson understands that exciting does not mean loud. Take note, Michael Bay.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is one of the best films this year, thanks to its engrossing atmosphere and performances. It is wonderfully understated and always interesting. It is something that is all too rare; an intelligent film about intelligence.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is currently playing in UK cinemas. The film is scheduled for US release on December 9th.
Clacked by Dan Meier 
on Sep 29, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
Is it sad that I saw that photo and thought, “Why is Sherlock wearing that strawberry blonde wig?”