Cast: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Rating: 3/5
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy- a well-crafted drama for art cinema lovers...
By Priyanka Ketkar
Has a movie ever made you feel as if you are a part of it as much as any of its characters? Has any movie managed to frustrate you because you are as much clueless about the culprit, as the hero of the film? I believe the answer to the questions is No. Well, here is a movie which will do so and that too in such a peaceful, grounded manner that your notion of a spy-thriller will take a complete U-Turn.
Tomas Alfredson's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a movie based on John Le Carre's 1974 spy novel. It is the story of loyalty and deceit, humility and conceit... It is the story of a Spy who has to spy on his fellow spies to find out that one traitor in his Circus.
George Smiley (Gary Oldman), who's been forced into retirement from Britain's Secret Intelligence Service - or "the Circus," as it's known - is rehired by an influential person from the "top" to uncover a mole among its highest ranks who's been working for the Soviets. His former boss, Control (John Hurt), had narrowed down the suspects to five men and given them nicknames. There's the annoyingly eager Percy (Toby Jones), or "Tinker"; the overly confident and stylish Bill (Colin Firth), or "Tailor"; the dedicated Roy (Ciaran Hinds), or "Soldier" and the nosy Toby (David Dencik), or "Poor Man." Smiley himself is suspect No. 5. But clearly Smiley is innocent (or is he? That's what you keep thinking throughout the film). Smiley can't trust anyone except maybe his young assistant Peter (Benedict Cumberbatch).
You cannot trust anyone in this world, not even yourself. One wrong step, one mistake can cost you your life or even someone else's life. Gary Oldman as the mysterious old man with his experience and intelligence is splendid. Benedict and Colin Firth have also portrayed really strong characters and have done so, gracefully. Tom Hardy as Ricky Tarrbrings freshness to the otherwise slow-paced film. Just his presence makes the film lively.
The problem with the film according to me is its slow pace and the fact that it is a spy story which doesn't reveal the clues even to its audiences. Some might find that exciting and even take it as a compliment to our intelligence. I am not against intelligent cinema and love movies which make you think and involve you in their journey but this one simply doesn't let you on any of its clues. You are as clueless as Smiley about that "mole" in the Circus. This was absolutely frustrating and even made me lose interest at times.
In spite of this, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's brilliance lies in its acting, its camera movements, its intermittent action and ironically its pace and its suspense as well.