Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the story of the hunt for a Soviet mole high within the ranks of the British Intelligence Service.  The film is an adaptation of a novel written in 1974 by David Cornwell.  Cornwell didn’t have to look far for inspiration for this novel.  He was an MI5 agent whose identity was given to the Russians by double agents, including one very high-ranking member of his service.

The very first thing I noticed as the film started was the cinematography.  In the world of sharp, bright, HD where you can practically count the hairs on an actor’s arm, this movie has a distinct grey and vintage feel.  It has a film grain filter applied, that makes the movie look like it was filmed in the 70’s or 80’s.  Since the story takes place in the 70’s, the effect really adds to the feel of the movie.  The acting is superb.  While most of the characters are stiff and flat, they give the occasional glimpse of raw emotion that shows beneath their dignified fronts are normal men. 

The storyline is incredibly complex, and uses flashbacks to tell much of the story.  Today most directors don’t use inference to communicate important and/or subtle plot details.  This movie is one of the rare exceptions.  Nearly everything in this movie is subtle.  It feels as if you blink, you will miss something important.  I believe that it is going to require a second viewing to catch all the subtleties.  The movie isn’t like most modern spy movies.  There are no high-speed chases, running gun battles, exploding buildings etc.  The movie is strictly intellectual, and I feel is a better story because it is so different.

If you want to go to the movies and just be entertained, this movie is probably not for you.  This movie requires focus and to intuitively understand the character’s actions.  If you like a good intellectual movie, this film definitely fits the bill.  I give it 9 / 10.