Cast deliver in stunning ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
(Cert 15, 122 mins, Thriller)
Control (John Hurt), the chief of a 1970s British Secret Intelligence Service unit known as the Circus, learns that Russian counterpart Karla has placed a mole within the ranks.
To unmask the traitor, Control dispatches Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) to Hungary but the agent is shot dead.
So Control turns to trusted protege Smiley (Gary Oldman) and shares intelligence about a possible double agent.
Soon after, Control takes his own life, leaving Smiley to uncover the intrigues of the other Circus members: Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), Roy Bland (Ciaran Hinds), Toby Esterhase (David Dencik) and Bill Haydon (Colin Firth).
Aided by the young, ambitious Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), Smiley searches for clues and for missing operative Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy).
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is intelligent film-making of the highest calibre, distinguished by tour de force performances from the predominantly British cast.
Oldman doesn’t utter a word for what seems like an eternity but he commands every frame.
Cumberbatch is a worthy foil, not least in a heart-breaking scene when Peter makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Jones, Hinds, Firth et al are excellent in support and Burke scene-steals with aplomb, delivering the best line of the entire film. Director Tomas Alfredson frames every shot with precision, overhearing conversations in darkened hallways or through walls as if we are the spies.
Scriptwriters Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan have truncated John le Carre’s novel but retain the choking air of suspense that has us holding our breaths until the stunning final frame.
A limited edition box set, comprising the Blu-ray and DVD combi-pack, an original CD soundtrack, notepad, playing cards, behind the scenes photographs and a film still, is also available.
Rating: 4/5.
