Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
[youtube=http://youtu.be/LPKhWXhiMSw]
Tagline: The Secret Is Out
Among the numerous things Brits don’t like other people doing (making tea, calling football “soccer”) we can probably add to that list, “remaking Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” The beloved 1979 BBC miniseries, from John Le Carré’s 1974 novel, was a master class in slow-burning drama. It starred, among others, Alec Guinness, who played George Smiley, the agent recalled to duty to unearth a Russian mole who has somehow infiltrated the top level of command.
Smiley is now being taken on by Gary Oldman, while his cohorts (the title is a reference to their various nicknames) are portrayed by Toby Jones, Ciarán Hinds and Colin Firth. And director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) nails this reboot (or however you want to term it) by not updating the action to modern day but keeping the beige, almost cigarette-infested colors of the ’70s intact. What’s more, he refuses to shy away from the nasty, bullying, and downright vicious relationships on show, rather than let any James Bond tendencies win the day, such as getting the bad guy and the girl.
The reviews are almost unanimous raves. “What a treat this film is, and what an unexpected thrill,” was the Guardian‘s summation. A “brooding, fluidly crafted movie adaptation” said The Village Voice while the Daily Telegraph reckons that “it’s packed with superb British actors, all at the top of their game, with the lengthy book skilfully condensed into just over two hours of riveting narrative.” And if the Brits give TTSS their seal of approval, you know you’re onto a winner.
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NewsFeed’s Flicks Pick: Don’t expect too much in the way of out and out action, but Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a mighty fine way to spend a couple of hours this weekend.