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"The spy sub-genre frequently acts below its material. Gadgetry and the thrill of espionage — chases, gunfights, assassinations — is preferred to the slum of work, the intensity of mistrust, and the mundanity of keeping the world safe. The genre, at least, is unaware of the spy game's constant dangers. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, directed by Tomas Alfredson and gorgeously photographed by Hoyte Van Hoytema, is a revelation for committing to such banal trials and tribulations, enhancing the image of a sought-after file or an open window to a level of similar dynamism. Based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name, intelligence isn’t ignored or put aside in favor of visceral kicks; instead, it realigns to an…

"It's the oldest question of all, George. Who can spy on the spies?"

I don't have a whole lot to say that I didn't already cover in my first review, so I'll try to keep this simple. I think it's an incredible testament to this film's success that an idiot like me can enjoy it. You see, I'm horribly incapable of following convoluted storylines. I can always understand enough to know generally what's going on, but if you asked me for specifics I'd probably just shrug my shoulders. If I watch a movie enough times I can eventually take it all in (eg. after countless watches I can finally explain what happens in Primer), but this is only my second…

Spooky action at a distance, alchemickal glamour, enthralled servants, reality distortion, clairvoyance, telepathy, the killing word, the torture dungeon, enchantments woven and spells cast, the charged magickal object which gives power over another, the power of naming, of re-naming, of with-holding, the perilous keep entowered, the vaults of secrets, movement in the shadows. It has come to this. My favorite wizard-battle movie is Tomas Alfredson's adaptation of John Le Carre's 'Tinker Taylor Solider Spy'. Gary Oldman as George Smiley is not only the most terrifying person in this movie, but the most terrifying I have ever seen him in anything. In his rumpled, exhausted, whispering near-stillness, the aetheric vibrations are almost visible. We never see the face of his opponent,…

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a Brittish espionage thriller from the Swedish director Tomas Alfredson. The script was adapted from author and former spy, John le Carre's novel by the same name and follows retired spy George Smiley (Gary Oldman) as he is tasked with conducting a secret investigation to figure out which of MI6's four top members is a KGB mole.

The films timeline can be quite hard to grasp and the story somewhat difficult to follow. The reasons being that the film jumps regularly between moments from the past and present and that it doesn't try to explain the current political situation in Europe or the intricacies of Brittish espionage, which are fairly complicated. My second viewing of…

2011 Ranked
Non-2018 First Time Watches Ranked

Film #34 of my 100 Degrees, 100 Movies Challenge

Common actor from previous film: John Hurt

"It's the oldest question of all, George. Who can spy on the spies?"

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is set during the Cold War and thanks to great work by director Tomas Alfredson and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, as well as fantastic performances from all of the cast, this feels very authentic. Of course, Oldman is the stand out amongst this all-star british cast but everybody else perform to a high standard as well; the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and John Hurt. The latter is a guy who…

Gary Oldman plays George Smiley, a retired British agent who is placed back into the field to try and uncover the identity a mole within the ranks of the M16's who is giving information to Russia.

TINKER TAYLOR SOLDIER SPY, adapted from John le Carre's novel, is certainly a very well-made movie and it features some terrific performances but I must admit that I got lost several times. It seems most people are commenting that they can't figure out the story and it seems many people are hating the movie for this and I can't blame them. However, even though I couldn't figure out all of the plot points, this type of confusion reminded me of THE BIG SLEEP with…