Rent Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
(2011)
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When a disgraced spy surfaces with information concerning a double agent at the top of the British secret service, George Smiley (Gary Oldman), an ex-MI6 agent, is drawn back into murky field of espionage. Tasked with investigating which of his trusted former colleagues has chosen to betray him and their country, Smiley narrows his search to four suspects, - all experienced, skilled and successful agents. However, past histories, rivalries and friendships make it far from easy to pinpoint the man who is eating away at the heart of the British establishment.
Recent Reviews of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by our members
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy review by AD
Unremarkable
(0) of (0) members found this review helpful.
I have not seen the Alec Guinness version or read the book, so I was coming to this "fresh" so to speak. I had expected more with the film being so heavily awarded and nominated for awards. Despite squeezing a long and intricate story into 2 hours, there were still times when it really dragged (I remember some bits which were just an excuse to play a whole song, to link it in to the era). Gary Oldman did well with what he had, but I don't remember any aspects of what he did that made me think "gosh he's acting this well". A host of british acting talent, all wasted as far as I could see.
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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy review by RP
Alec Guinness is George Smiley - Gary Oldman is an imposter :)
(0) of (0) members found this review helpful.
Regrettably, this is a film which suffers badly in comparison to the 1979 BBC TV production. Having enjoyed the book and the TV series I was looking forward to the film, particularly after its glowing reviews from the critics. Well, I was disappointed. Knowing the material I wasn't expecting an action/adventure tale, but what is a complex tale has been so condensed as to make the story not only slow moving but incomprehensible unless you have read the book. Despite excellent acting, the missing back story makes the plot hard to follow.
Before writing this review I re-watched the BBC TV series with Alec Guinness in the lead role just to make sure that I wasn't misremembering how good it was. Yes, that one is slow moving too, but it is so atmospheric that it draws the viewer in to see how the story unfolds – and it makes Gary Oldman look out of place as George Smiley, a role which (despite others playing the character over the years) Alec Guinness made his own.
The TV series also has the luxury of being over 5 hours long, giving plenty of time to set out the complex story, the complex characters and the complex background. The film is also long at over 2 hours – and it feels it, whereas the TV series becomes all-enveloping and the viewer becomes immersed in the story.
Sorry, but I can only give this one 3/5 stars – and if it hadn't been for Gary Oldman's performance it would have been 2/5.
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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy review by Sortilege
A disappointment
(0) of (0) members found this review helpful.
Perhaps if I didn't know the novel, or the late 70's TV production of Tinker Tailor, I might have thought this ok. Even so, its sepulchral gloom made me think more of a cut price Blade Runner than Le Carre's miserable mandarin. Oldman did a fine job, all the actors did a fine job with a script that became more attenuated as the film progressed. Why needlessly conflate characters' names, and why make Ann Smiley, an integral part of George's malaise, an off screen signifier? I'd been really looking forward to seeing what a contemporary director and cast made of what is now almost an English classic, but found myself deeply disappointed
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Rated: 3.4 stars out of 5 from 159 ratings
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BFI Classification:
Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over
| Release Date: | 30/01/2012 |
| Production Year: | 2011 |
| Run Time: | 122 minutes |
| Aspect Ratio: | Widescreen 2.40:1 |
| Format: | Pal |
| Colour: | Colour |
Special Features:
- Commentary With Gary Oldman & Director Tomas Alfredson
- John Le Carré Interview
- Deleted Scenes
