Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Fantastic direction, production design, and a 70s vibe reminiscent of films like The French Connection and other similar classics. Unfortunately, the plot is quite viewer unfriendly with lots of names, dozens of flashbacks, plenty and of twists and evasive maneuvers. On top of that, there are static shots, glances, a British touch, and I had a hard time finishing this film. Someone might argue that it is for connoisseurs. Maybe, but I was damn bored, and that's not good no matter what the film is like. And I sincerely hope that I'm not inexperienced and unaware enough as a film viewer to not understand all of this. (04/08/2012)

The direction is precise, with attention to details, even the unimportant ones when Alfredson is just playing around (a wasp in a car, a killed owl in a classroom), but otherwise the narrative is too distant and not very immersive. Gary Oldman displays an excruciating ease with silent glances and considered speeches, and is the brightest point of the entire film. Of course, there have been better spy plots. (01/27/2012)

It’s actually an absolutely brilliant espionage drama, but you have to watch it second by second, detail by detail. Only at that point that it stands out, and it’s hard to enjoy it when you’re tired from the day’s work and you look forward to sinking into your armchair in the evening, when this movie starts playing. That’s actually what I did and it wasn’t quite right. At times I was passing out from the fatigue while watching and despite the perfect acting performances, I was aware of the fact that it was boring and that the movie dragged. But what drags cannot run away, so there finally came the end which absolutely uplifted the whole movie, because like a proper espionage movie, it managed to surprise me several times. (04/03/2013)

Those who have Gary Oldman fixed as a demonic expressive representative of the most abhorrent villains will probably be surprised by the gray inconspicuous clerk, who shows no traces of charisma, yet enlightens us about the complex espionage game, which seems to me like a very realistic portrayal of the real world of intelligence games. I say about a certain category of films that they are excellent, but only for some people. That's exactly the case with this drama. It is a precise film with a well-thought-out story and sophisticated details, which, however, with its pace and deliberate avoidance of proven genre clichés and attractiveness for the viewer, rather discourages the average film consumer. I would say that it has the potential to become a classic of its genre, whose name will be pronounced with respect by film connoisseurs and genre specialists, but it certainly won't become a box office hit in the true sense of the word. Gary Oldman's performance impressed me, as well as the screenplay, which includes several real elements from the famous scandal surrounding the legendary spy and double agent Kim Philby, who, as a high-ranking officer of the British secret service, even aspired to the position of its chief while being controlled as a mole from Moscow for many years. The technical aspects of the film and the direction are precise, and those who are not deterred by the slow pace and lack of action will be rewarded with a great cinematic experience. Overall impression: 95%. (02/06/2012)

The most sophisticated spy picture of all time. But beneath all the distant sleekness, it is seething. By focusing on "irrelevant" details, Alfredson is able to create a complex storyline that in other films would require long minutes of dialog and an explanatory voice-over monolog. Here, a stubborn silence is maintained, and only rarely a cursory sentence is uttered, seemingly about nothing. And that's the biggest positive (and for many, the biggest negative). If you're on the same page with the film, in the silent scenes where the two Englishmen look at each other over a cup of tea, you'll be on the edge of your seat, covered in sweat, because "you know he knows that him over there knows" and there's no need for it to be mentioned through dialog. If you don’t catch this movie train or if leaves without you then you'll have long minutes waiting for you, watching two Englishmen looking at each other with cups of tea in their hands, and you’ll get nothing out of it. The borderline is thin, but it separates one of the most powerful experiences of recent years from one of the most boring experiences of recent years. So, it is hardly a film for everyone, but at least because of the unusually confident and stylish “70s" directing, it’s worth seeing. Also because it is a prime example of how to adapt a complex and extensive book; it is not a slavish copy nor a mere illustration, but a real adaptation fully transformed into cinematic language. (08/16/2014)