Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[caddyman]

As a regular reader of this enthralling journal, you will be aware that we went to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy this evening. A couple of LJ chums have asked what I thought of it and I thought that I'd say here rather than in the comments of my previous entry.

So. Visually it looks the part; for those of us who remember London before it was physically cleaned up in the mid to late 80s, it's all there, soot stains and all. The use of low lighting and leached out colours adds to the period feel. It's spot on - and for those who say it wasn't all glumness in those days, let's remember that the film is set in ancient government buildings and faded areas of the city. The cheerier places don't come into it. And the city was heavily redeveloped in the years following 1973, when it's set.

The acting is uniformly excellent. Gary Oldman is outstanding. Who would have though Kathy Burke could do a 'posh' voice?



The pacing, however, is slow. Arthriticly slow. I found my attention wandering at several points and had to fight against closing my eyes. I'm sure I missed a couple of clarifying plot points that would have made the narrative clearer as a result. Furtle gave up the unequal task and dozed a couple of times.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is around 100 minutes of engrossing and well-acted story. The film is 127 minutes long. It could have lost a half hour and been much the better for it.

And somebody please explain the point of the fat school kid with glasses?

Overall, 3 stars from a possible 5. And that's mainly because of Gary Oldman's performance. I doubt we'll buy it on DVD; I couldn't sit through it again any time soon.

Comments

[budgie-uk.livejournal.com]

In the book and the radio adaptations, Bill Roach is there both to introduce Jim Prideaux to us, and to show what it's like to be someone who should be entirely comfortable in an environment meant to nurture him... but who's always the outsider. Just like Prideaux.

It's pretty much spelled out in the book.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I didn't find it obvious from the movie, but that may just be me.

Though you shouldn't need to be familiar with the book to enjoy the movie, in my opinion.

[budgie-uk.livejournal.com]

Remind me to lend you both the Alec Guinness TINKER TAILOR. It's about seven hours... and there's not a minute wasted. Seriously.

Characters that aren't in the movie that are important to the resolution and incredibly good performances.

Think the movie had a good cast?

Alec Guinness - George Smiley
Michael Jayston - Peter Guillam
George Sewell - Mendel
Bernard Hepton - Toby Esterhase
Ian Richardson - Bill Haydon
Hywel Bennett - Ricki Tarr
Terence Rigby - Roy Bland
Ian Bannen - Jim Prideaux
Michael Aldridge - Percy Alleline

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

That would be great.

Anyway, you should come over and let us feed you. Plus we have a couple of books awaiting signatures!

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review. I might buy it on dvd to enable me to pause and make a cup of tea.

[literaryrose.livejournal.com]

I started reading the book but struggled - it was so dry and I just couldn't get into it so gave up about halfway through. I never saw the original series so I was a complete newcomer to Le Carre. But I absolutely loved this film! I thought the cast was amazing but Oldman blew everyone away - he's such an amazing actor. What's the Westfield cinema like? Is it nicer than the Ilford one?

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

For some reason we've never been in the Ilford Vue, but I can recommend the Westfield one. It is very clean, plenty of space and the patrons watched the movie just like in the old days.

Westfield itself is very impressive. I think we may have to go again to look around the whole centre.

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

I started reading the book but struggled - it was so dry and I just couldn't get into it

Me too. I like G Oldman so perhaps I'll watch this.

[fen-wolfchile.livejournal.com]

I had my suspicions about this film from the TV advertising campaign.
Almost any film that features out takes from reviews is usually a bit duff.
From your review I gather I have been proven right again :)

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

Gary Oldman is a superb actor! and Kathy Burke is a very underestimated actor too. Together they would set the screen on fire... and I don't like Kathy Burke. Ho hum

[failing-angel.livejournal.com]

I see where you're coming from with the film, but being familiar with the plot, that didn't throw me.
I think that the film could have improved its pacing and focus, but I did enjoy the 'almost' placid progression - the suspects could have been fleshed out though.

I'm sure there's some comparison to be made between the school and the Circus, but Prideaux should have been developed more.