|
ad4m22
|
 |
« on: October 08, 2011, 07:44:55 PM » |
|
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Review
Taking John le Carré’s classic Cold War thriller and turning it into an exciting film is a daunting task. After all, the novel is incredibly slow-paced and there aren’t any explosions or car chases – the protagonist doesn’t even carry a gun. Anyone attempting to use the source material to tell an exciting story would need to have a lot of skill, luck or both.
Thankfully, Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) is exactly the right man for the job, and he’s managed to do everything right in bringing the story to the screen. The cast are English, the setting is mid seventies and the pace is impeccable.
Gary Oldman leads possibly the greatest British cast in film history as George Smiley, a man forced out of his top-level job working for the Circus, the highest echelon of Intelligence. But Smiley is soon drafted back – from his unique position on the sidelines, he is required to observe the Circus and discover which one of his former colleagues has been selling secrets to the Russians for almost ten years.
Where to start with a film that’s practically perfect on almost every detail? How about the cast? The line-up of talent here is simply wonderful, with legendary actors like John Hurt and Roger Lloyd-Pack mixing it up with newer faces like Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch. Each one brings an amazing touch of quality to the film – a sadness, a knowing sense of being displaced by time itself. The most incredible part is how much of the characters are hidden behind the actors’ eye and yet you can almost hear their thoughts. Special mention goes to Benedict Cumberbatch, simply because the man who played TV’s Sherlock Holmes manages to share most of his screentime with Oldman and never looks the weaker man.
Oldman’s quiet, subdued performance as Smiley dominates the film – as well it should – and the depth of sadness and thought that he gives the role is nothing less than outstanding. Contrary to any other thriller protagonist ever, Smiley’s lead weapon is his mind and the scene where he reduces David Dencik’s Toby Esterhase to tears just by talking to him is perhaps the most powerful piece of film to appear on the screen this year.
The excellent cast are supported by the equally talented director. Alfredson’s sedate, thoughtful style perfectly compliments the film. The director’s use of long shots provides the audience with a sense of voyeurism, as though we are spying on the spies (fitting, giving the theme of the film). Alfredson allows events to unfold at their own pace and allows tension to seep through the film, rather than force it in the audience’s face. The effect is spellbinding – at once treating the audience as intelligent and forcing them to observe every little detail as though they too were spies. Is that waiter’s hand trembling because he is nervous? Is that man being watched? It’s an unusual treat indeed for a film audience to be expected to pay attention.
Taking the classic thriller and transferring it to the screen might have been an impossible task, but thanks to the talents of the cast and crew, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is one of the best films of the year. Just pay attention and expect a different kind of thrill to the one cinema usually provides.
A+
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dalmatianjaws
|
|
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2011, 08:12:23 PM » |
|
Does the line from the trailer "We're not so different, you and I" make it into the movie?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2011, 03:48:43 PM » |
|
A+ would mean there literally has never been a better film.
Then again... it does have 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Only the Financial Times didn't love it.
I think the grade might stay in this case. Though it makes me uneasy.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2011, 04:11:20 PM » |
|
Just reading through the imdb message boards and there are tons (actually the majority I think) saying it's boring, obscure, and is a thriller with no thrills.
On this basis it seems it can't be the best movie ever made, so will probably have to be downgraded to A.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dalmatianjaws
|
|
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2011, 04:44:23 PM » |
|
"+" is forbidden.
Especially if the movie isn't married. Keep in mind reviews are personal and subjective and might deserve an A+ to the reviewer. I personally would give an A+ to Harold and Maude but there's about a million people that would disagree with me. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dnwilliams
|
|
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2011, 06:50:23 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2011, 09:47:22 PM » |
|
I stand by that decision.
Damn internet hype.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dalmatianjaws
|
|
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2011, 09:54:45 PM » |
|
There is a lot of backlash against The Dark Knight. It's all unfounded.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2011, 10:30:52 PM » |
|
Note to Adam - It's been out in the UK for quite a few weeks, so I think at this point it makes more sense for me to front page it just before it comes out in the US.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2011, 10:44:37 PM » |
|
By the way, that's probably my favourite 2 O'Clock Critics video, man there was such a buzz on that night. It'll be amazing if The Dark Knight Rises catches 75% of that.
Cloverfield and The Dark Knight have been the most exciting build-ups from a movie news perspective. I miss those inaccurate but amazing monster sketches, hearing Ledger's voice for the first time in the teaser, the early Two-Face picture being pulled from the site. Good times.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dnwilliams
|
|
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2011, 02:11:10 PM » |
|
There is a lot of backlash against The Dark Knight. It's all unfounded.
Nothing is allowed to be that immensely popular and go un-criticised. Thems the rules. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dalmatianjaws
|
|
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2011, 06:12:47 PM » |
|
By the way, that's probably my favourite 2 O'Clock Critics video, man there was such a buzz on that night. It'll be amazing if The Dark Knight Rises catches 75% of that.
Cloverfield and The Dark Knight have been the most exciting build-ups from a movie news perspective. I miss those inaccurate but amazing monster sketches, hearing Ledger's voice for the first time in the teaser, the early Two-Face picture being pulled from the site. Good times.
You haven't seen anything until the viral marketing for Blood Bears. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ad4m22
|
|
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2011, 06:03:11 AM » |
|
I stand by my use of the '+' for both this film and The Dark Knight. This film is, so far, the best one this year. All those slagging it off for not being 'thrilling' enough just don't get it. The novel was written forty years ago and is still excellent. Just because the filmmakers didn't bow down and make it into a retarded James Patterson book doesn't make it irrelevant.
But enough about me. Maybe people who haven't read the book will find it missing something. You guys should definately watch this one, though. CLEVER FILM. GOOD FILM.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
dalmatianjaws
|
|
« Reply #14 on: October 17, 2011, 02:39:02 PM » |
|
I intend to see it.
You didn't answer my question though, does the line "we're not too different, you and I" appear in the film?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ad4m22
|
|
« Reply #15 on: October 17, 2011, 05:21:37 PM » |
|
I believe so, although I'm damned if I can place it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2011, 01:50:16 PM » |
|
Saw it. Very good. Very unusually paced movie, I haven't seen anything quite like it, though I suspect the Norwegian premake of Let Me In is probably this way.
It loses the A+ because of the woman who came in noisily 5 minutes into the movie and asked loudly in my ear "Is this the movie?"
Also for the usher didn't switch off his walkie talkie before he came in and that blared ten minutes into the movie.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ad4m22
|
|
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2011, 10:06:11 AM » |
|
You're so mean, Sheridan.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Sheridan Passell
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: +4/-1
Posts: 6379
Movie Moron Founder/Editor
|
|
« Reply #18 on: November 02, 2011, 06:47:18 PM » |
|
Also because Gary Oldman's performance wasn't as interesting as previously advertised, by himself ("It's my best role ever"). It was just the old "Doesn't say much, ever" character, which is a bit of a cliche these days in awards cinema. And I thought his accent sounded more like an impression than the real thing.
That's not to say he wasn't good, and the film wasn't great.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
April 10, 2009, 12:51:42 PM
