New Cult Classic
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Director: Tomas Alfredson
By Alex Watson
When people think of John Le Carre’s novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, we tend to think back the old BBC adaptation starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley. Overall it was an excellent adaptation and for many set the benchmark for the entire series that followed. The novel itself was considered a classic example of the spy espionage thriller. But when it was announced that Swedish director Tomas Alfredson was due to take on a cinematic re-make, many people had mixed feelings. But it appears that it was a gamble that was worth taking and in doing so we got a very different kind of spy thriller and the stand out British film of 2011.
Staying faithful to Le Carre’s story Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is set in London in the 1970’s and tells the story of George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a former agent in the Circus- a secret British Intelligence operation. Smiley and his counterpart Control (John Hurt) were sacked following an undercover operation that went wrong in Hungary. Smiley is soon recalled to active duty because it appears that there is a mole high up in the Circus personnel who is leaking information to the Soviets. Smiley is tasked with search for the mole which could be anyone of his former colleagues (Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Ciaran Hinds).
The principle strength of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is that it has an intelligence story which keeps us guessing all the way through. The film doesn’t rely on big chase sequences, gun fights or stunning women. The plot is allowed to drive itself forward as Smiley searches in vain for who the villain could be. The film is distinctly unglamorous to the eye and through Tomas Alfredson, we see a drab and grey world filled with craggy and tired old spies. With this shine taken away, the film is given a gritty edge to it and Alfredson was the perfect choice to bring this feeling across. In his previous film, Let the Right One In, we saw a real talent to cinema making his mark and in Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy he solidifies his new reputation.
The characterisation also stays in the same vein as Le Carre’s novel. Smiley in a lot of ways is a sad sack of a man; he is in a failing marriage to his wife Ann and has an obsession with his tricky soviet counterpart Karla. But his mind is one of true brilliance and in his quiet moments we see him carefully gluing the pieces of the mystery together. Karla looms heavily in the mind of Smiley, and through one brilliantly acted monologue by Oldman he recants his first meeting with his nemesis in Delhi and his fascination with the man his methods. Here we see the ghosts of Smileys past and his willingness to stop any more occurring.
Every aspect of the 1970’s is precisely presented in this Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy from a phone-box to cars and shirts of that era. Also the spirit of the cold war is ever present here it brings a frost chill to proceedings. Within the walls of The Circus everyone is a suspect and they we feel the sense that Smiley and co are working against the clock to find a spy who doesn’t to be found. The other higher ranking members of the circus are all presented with skeletons in their closets and in their own way are guilty of crimes. But whether any of them could be a traitor remains ambiguous throughout.
The film also boasts a stellar cast and is led by Gary Oldman in a spectacular performance. Through Oldman he brings Smileys quiet yet brilliant nature to life. His understanding of Smileys body simple gestures elevates his performance further and we hear the gears of Smiley mind working! For this performance he was finally reward with an Oscar nod for Best Actor. He is joined in the acting ranks by Colin Firth as the arrogant Bill Haydon; Firth perfectly portrays his slimy nature and his willingness to get ahead by any means at all. There are also fine supporting turns by rising stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Peter Guillam and Tom Hardy as troubled agent Ricky Tarr. The two men even in their most troubled moments, keep their heads and bring the task to its resolution.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is one the best thrillers to hit our screens in recent years. It might feel low key and slow boiling to the un-trained eye, but those who watch this will be reward with a nail biting story that will keep you asking questions until the film frame. Even after that more question will come to as you consider what has just been. Gary Oldman and Tomas Alfredson bring this piece to life and I hope they work together again soon.
Closer to the Edge 