(Cover) - EN Movies - Gary Oldman appreciates the complexity of his "delicious" character in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The 53-year-old British actor stars as George Smiley in the upcoming thriller, which is set during the Cold War and follows an espionage veteran as he tries to expose a Soviet agent.

Gary particularly enjoyed playing a character with so many juxtapositions in his personality, feeling he captured his alter ego's happiness as well as his darker traits.

"It's a delicious part," he told British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

"A wonderful role. Smiley is middle-aged, mild-mannered, sagacious and perspicacious.

"He is an intelligence officer, a student of espionage. He has a strong moral sense, too, a strong moral compass, even though he recognises the dark, unethical, ugly side of what he does. Also, there's a melancholy and sadness within George. It isn't accidental that his name is Smiley."

The movie is based on the eponymous spy novel by British writer John le Carr. John was thrilled to see Gary land the part of George. He praised the star for having "a really extraordinary command of himself as an actor". (C) Cover Media