Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy There is no doubt that TTSS is a beautiful looking film, lovingly directed by Tomas Alfredson ( Let the Right One In - reviewed here ) but with its Cold War setting, pedestrian pacing and hushed dialogue, it is a film that requires total concentration. Anyone expecting an action spy thriller will be very disappointed and anyone who has not read the Le Carre book or seen a previous version of the tale will need to work hard to keep up. As a period piece, it looks and sounds great and Gary Oldman is moody, sombre and brilliant as George Smiley, a retired spy master hunting a mole within his team. TTSS is packed with fine performances and directorial touches but the story is almost lost in the background of intrigue and mistrust. There has been a lot of praise for TTSS but with a slow, dense 2 hour run time, it certainly will not be a film for everyone. I enjoyed it but it's not an edge of your seat spy thriller, more an 'are you sitting comfortably', thoughtful, puzzle of a drama. Hard going.
7.5 out of 10.
Cert 15 (uk)
2011. Out now.
Isn't Benedict Cumberbatch in this film? He is? Well then it's AWESOME. 10 out of 10. End of. END OF!
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