"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" review: Thriller meets high expectations
(CBS) John Le Carre's classic, bestselling espionage thriller "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" makes its much anticipated arrival on the big screen today in director Tomas Alfredson's masterful feature-length film.
Starring Gary Oldman as George Smiley and Colin Firth as Bill Haydon, a crackerjack member of British intelligence at the height of the Cold War, the film provides an opportunity for a whole new generation to experience Le Carre's brilliant brand of storytelling.
Famed in the '60s and '70s for his intriguing, authentic spy novels, Le Carre, himself a former member of MI5 and MI6, breathed life into his most famous character, George Smiley, a quiet unassuming spy with razor-sharp intelligence. Smiley appeared in several of LeCarre's works, the most famous of which is the book on which Alfredson based his sophisticated thriller.
The film is set in 1973, at a time when the Cold War continued to damage international relations and compromise Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, aka MI6 and code named 'Circus.' When a high-level mission in Hungary goes awry, the head of the Circus, known as Control (John Hurt), is forced out, together with Smiley.
Not long after, Smiley is summoned to headquarters and re-hired in secret at the government's behest. He is charged with one directive: to uncover a mole believed to have infiltrated the Circus, thriving among the most-senior operatives. Aided by younger agent Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), he tries to track down the spy working for the Soviets.
Their only source is a shortlist of five likely suspects that Control has provided: the ambitious Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), code name "Tinker"; the suave and well respected Bill Haydon, dubbed "Tailor" for his sharp dress sense; Roy Bland (Ciaran Hinds), using the moniker "Soldier"; Toby Esterhase (David Denick), dubbed Poor Man; and Smiley himself.
For fans who may remember the groundbreaking 1979 television series, starring the iconic Sir Alec Guinness as Smiley, the film is a must see. Le Carre was adamant that the book be brought to life and "rejuvenated" to appeal to a modern-day audience, but the essence of the show and its style of suspenseful storytelling is very much intact in Alfredson's version.
His "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is the antithesis of the current crop of spy thrillers, devoid of glitz, glamour and gadgets. It may take a moment to adjust and re-orient, but you will, to rich reward. The lack of distractions and physical action only enhance this upmarket, visually rich thriller. This tale is all about the intellectual, procedural hunt.
Colin Firth is immaculate in this follow-up to his Oscar-winning performance as King George VI in the "King's Speech," but it is Gary Oldman who stands out in a role far removed from the loud, brash characters he has played in the Harry Potter and Dark Knight franchises. Oscar buzz is swirling around his quiet, muted performance - quite an accomplishment given Guinness' landmark performance as Smiley.
Tom Hardy, as a cynical spy who develops a heart, distinguishes himself and proves that he is on a fast track to becoming one of Hollywood's hottest properties.
The movie, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival, i s not only visually rich, but superbly well acted and directed. It leaves audiences on the edge of their seats awaiting the big reveal.