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
The original book was fine, but this version was virtually incomprehensible. It included a number of interesting scenes, but understanding the plot was way beyond my ability, and apparently beyond the brainpower of a good many people. Director's ego trip ?
I thought it would be interesting to view this and compare it with the original. Like most remakes (why doesn't the film industry go for new ideas, not rehash old ones?) it wasn't a patch on the original in so many ways. Alec Guinness was sorely missed, the film dragged and just didn't convince. It was a feeble imitation and really not worth viewing.
George Roby.
Based on the best selling novel by John Le Carre Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy follows the story of British spy George Smiley as he attempts to find a mole within the intelligence service.
Older audiences may well have seen the excellent BBC adaptation of the novel that starred Alec Guinness, which has since gained status as one of the BBC’s best adaptations. Considering the amount of time allowed for the older project compared to this year’s release audiences should be very impressed with the new offering.
Starring a wealth of British big shots including Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Toby Jones, and an excellent performance by the endlessly versatile Gary Oldman in the lead, Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy is a tense and beautifully executed drama.
Some have complained that they could not get along with Cumberbatch in the role of Smiley’s leg man Peter Gulliam, otherwise however the film must be praised for its vision of the piece. I was very struck by the sight of London and Cambridgeshire which demonstrate the tactful and precise choice of location to stay in keeping with the original setting. Whilst the industrial style set pieces of the Circus give the movie a twist of modern style.
The film manages to cut only what is absolutely necessary without distracting from the story and effortlessly hold suspense throughout, even fans of the book and the original BBC drama should not be disappointed.