Out on Monday one of UKs most successful film in 2011 comes to Blu-Ray. But is it worth the hype? Mike takes a look
TITLE – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy YEAR – 2011 DIRECTOR – Tomas Alfredson CAST – Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds WRITERS – John le Carré AMAZON – DVD / BLU-RAY
Without doubt the trailer of the year award goes to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It’s not an exaggeration either to describe it as one of the most atmospheric and tense teasers in years, but can the film live up to the flawless trailer? In the capable hands of Let The Right One In director, Tomas Alfredson, you would assume so and based on the John le Carré novel; again, all implications are positive. The 1979 series starring Alec Guiness was well received and is regarded as a hidden gem in television. In all, the movie adaptation has a hell of a lot to live up to, especially in regards to the Oscar buzz emanating from Gary Oldman’s performance.
Recent MI6 retiree, George Smiley (Oldman), is summoned back to uncover a Soviet mole within their presence. Smiley, accompanied by Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), begins a secret investigation away from the prying eye of Government bods, Bill Hayden (Colin Firth), Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), Roy Bland (Ciarán Hinds), and Toby Esterhase (David Dencik), in the hope of uncovering said traitor.
What’s clear from the beginning is that this is no normal film; it’s a different kettle of fish to a typical mainstream thriller and can be described as a ‘film lover’s film’ because technically it’s very accomplished. It is meticulously directed, nicely lit and boasts some beautiful cinematography as well. Its other strengths are clear too, as the British ensemble exudes such poise and subtlety as they complement one another’s performances and convey an authentic 1970′s, Cold War era. The costumes, as well as locations, are spot on as the realism is accentuated by the grainy, grey filter over the entire film.
Focally the film shifts between time periods through flashbacks, but we’re never informed of these changes, which often become apparent during or after the scene has concluded. There’s no need for this ambiguity as it serves no purpose; Alfredson doesn’t try to shock nor reveal anything of significance, which begs the question regarding the absence of clarity. Furthermore, the story fails to fixate on anyone in particular; Oldman is the predominant ‘lead’, but we are presented with sub plots from side character perspectives, thus preventing us from completely engaging with a sole protagonist. It is this disregard for clarity and focus that prevents you from bring lured into the thick of the conspiracy, often relying on intuition to deduce Alfredson’s motives regarding the constant shifts.
On a positive note, aside from Oldman, other performances that demand attention are Mark Strong’s Jim Prideaux and Tom Hardy’s brief, yet powerful role as Ricki Tarr. Both actors offer convincing interpretations as each are responsible for some emotionally touching scenes. For either to receive a supporting actor nod isn’t out of the question either.
What feels like a missed opportunity is the immediacy of danger- or lack of it. Rarely are we presented with anything other than conversations between main characters. At times it can appear confusing as to what exactly is happening and which people are being discussed as the film tackles the story in a subtle, yet rather vague manner. It therefore becomes difficult to follow as you constantly play catch-up trying to figure out what has just occurred.
Key aspects- including the reveal- are underplayed and could have been constructed to build much more apprehension, thus having more impact as an engaging narrative. Whilst it boasts immense atmosphere, the fundamental elements of a thriller are absent as it fails to keep you on the edge of your seat, instead forcing your brain into overdrive to keep up with the complexities of the narrative.
Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy is an alternative film that can both appeal to and alienate mainstream audiences; it’s a very slow burner that’ll perhaps appeal to the purer cinema lover within, as Alfredson offers up a whodunit-thriller with superb acting and an authentically set story that is unfortunately marred by a lack of pace and tension. The Cold War setting is painstakingly constructed as it succeeds in drawing the viewer into a world of trust, espionage and paranoia, but it’s a shame these positives are weighed down by too much ambiguity and a confused script, not to mention a missed opportunity to truly grip and enthral like the trailer promises.
THE DISK
Now every now and again there comes along a disc with enough extras to sink a Battleship. This is one of them. There are lots of great featurette’s, interviews, TV Spots and TV Specials. There are even chapters from other John Le Carre novels to listen to. Here is the entire list…
- COMMENTARY WITH GARY OLDMAN & DIRECTOR TOMAS ALFREDSON
- JOHN le CARRÉ INTERVIEW
- DELETED SCENES
- SMILEY FEATURETTE
- INSIDE THE CIRCUS FEATURETTE
- SHADOW WORLD FEATURETTE
- JOHN le CARRÉ FEATURETTE
- INTERVIEWS WITH GARY OLDMAN, COLIN FIRTH, TOM HARDY, DIRECTOR TOMAS ALFREDSON AND SCREENWRITER PETER STRAUGHAN
- UK PREMIERE FEATURETTE
- SKY MOVIES FEATURETTE
- PHOTO GALLERY
- TRAILERS
FRC Rating
TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY IS RELEASED ON BLU-RAY AND DVD ON 30TH JANUARY 2012 IN THE UK BY STUDIOCANAL
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Have you seen this film? Do you agree with Mike? Did you rate it higher? Comment below…
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41 comments
September 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks Mike for putting this together for me. Interesting you didn’t feel the film.
I will have to wait until after the holiday to see this. I hope it is still in the Cinema on my return
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September 20, 2011 at 9:04 pm (UTC 0)
My pleasure =) A nice way of getting my work out to the masses
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September 20, 2011 at 5:59 pm (UTC 0)
I’m seeing this tonight. I’m not sure what i’m gonna think of it though. Stay tuned!
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September 20, 2011 at 9:05 pm (UTC 0)
I look forward to hearing whether you agree with this review, I hope so!
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September 20, 2011 at 6:20 pm (UTC 0)
Scott, I’m really looking forward to this movie. It’s too bad that it didn’t live up to expectations for you. I’m hoping that it isn’t just a case of a really good trailer, but I’ll see. Nice job with this review!
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September 20, 2011 at 6:24 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks matey, this isn’t my review, it is from my friend Mike. He guest posted this one as I wouldn’t have got it done before my holiday!!
I am sure he will be along soon
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September 20, 2011 at 6:25 pm (UTC 0)
Oh geeze. Sorry about that. It serves me right for jumping right over the intro. Nice review, MIke!
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September 20, 2011 at 6:28 pm (UTC 0)
No worries dude!! Easily Done!
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September 20, 2011 at 9:01 pm (UTC 0)
No worries bud
I’ve commented a reply below, glad you liked it though, cheers.
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September 20, 2011 at 6:38 pm (UTC 0)
Haha, we will let you off… This time…
Thanks with the comment, it was a film I enjoyed but wasn’t swept along with the general praise it seems to be getting. I think people are blinded a little by the great ensemble and the fantastic look of it and obviously the great performance Oldman gives, but for me it wasn’t enough to ‘wow’ me.
..Saying that, I might just be an uncultured simpleton who can’t appreciate the more subtle things in life =P
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September 20, 2011 at 8:27 pm (UTC 0)
uncultured simpleton? are you scott in disguise?
good analysis of its flaws. did you read the book/see the tv series beforehand?
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September 20, 2011 at 9:03 pm (UTC 0)
Haha, no I am not =P
No doubt people will argue that I mustn’t have ‘got it’, but to to be honest I went in with my brain in gear, prepared to pay attention and approach it with full concentration, but simply couldn’t engage with it as much as other films.
I haven’t read the book or seen the TV series, I hear they are both excellent, but the fact that I went in not knowing who the mole was should have been an all-the-greater-revelation, but it was a little flat and had a ‘so what?’ feeling.
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September 23, 2011 at 2:54 am (UTC 0)
i am yet to see the tv show and am only a third of the way through the novel so i was just curious if comparisons had any effect on your opinion mike.
of course if you’re expecting a powerful reveal and dont get one you’re gonna be disappointed. im getting the feel of the book, and maybe it’s less about who the mole is but more about the journey to find out? i’m certainly not thrilled by the prose or even filled with suspense but i am fascinated and entertained so far.
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September 21, 2011 at 5:36 am (UTC 0)
Cheeky Git
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September 23, 2011 at 2:49 am (UTC 0)
no offense meant scott. just getting in there before you called yourself it!
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September 20, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC 0)
i heard that from a few people, i don’t think there’s been a better trailer this year than the original teaser for “tinker”
it sounds like it may have suffered from the same problem state of play had, condensing 6+ hours of a televison show into a 2 hour film. still loking forward to seeing it this week.
great review Mike
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September 20, 2011 at 9:21 pm (UTC 0)
I’d definitely recommend seeing it, but don’t expect it to live up to the trailer or indeed the hype!
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September 20, 2011 at 7:15 pm (UTC 0)
A great, honest review, thanks Mike! I was expecting everyone to immediately love this one but after reading this I’ll keep my expectation in check. I do agree about the trailer of the year award though, it’s definitely one of the best this year.
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September 20, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC 0)
Cheers Ruth, I felt a bit like a duck out of water disagreeing with the majority of critics out there, but there’s no point pussy-footing around it because I wasn’t convinced. The one thing I’ll give you is honesty – A conformist or sell out I am not! =P
And yes, the trailer has oversold it somewhat, will be interested to hear what you think once you’ve seen it and if you agree with my review!
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September 20, 2011 at 9:25 pm (UTC 0)
It certainly was a great trailer, but simply didn’t live up to it. It failed to generate the cut-throat tension it promises. Instead it feels a little underwhelming to be honest.
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September 27, 2011 at 11:42 am (UTC 0)
I was halfway through your review when I remembered that I am seeing this tonight and don’t want any spoilers or leading thoughts before I can make up my own mind. Thanks all the same, what I read of your review I enjoyed.
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October 27, 2011 at 1:43 pm (UTC 0)
Well just for the record, I never include any spoilers, so fear not
I understand about being influenced though, but what did you think about it on reflection of a viewing?
I may be tempted to watch it again on DVD a few months down the line, although I can’t see myself liking it any more though!
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January 28, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC 0)
Interesting review. Although my own review would indicate I did like its structure a little more than yourself I can understand your points. Why I think the quite disorientating narrative and ‘underplayed’ finale work is because I think it conveys that sense of distorted paranoia prevalent at the time. And the ending, I suppose, reminds that it isn’t James Bond. I think the conclusion could have been made in a way that was conventionally more exciting but I thought it was a brave choice by Alfredson to remain so reserved.
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January 30, 2012 at 7:15 pm (UTC 0)
I agree, Dan. It was structured accordingly for a spy movie and to indeed evoke paranoia, but just felt a little too confused as to who was who and the people characters would refer to at times.
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January 28, 2012 at 1:46 pm (UTC 0)
it’s definitely not my type of film, but I do love Ciaran and Hardy a lot! Are there any female roles in the film? I have a feeling it’s a boys club movie
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January 30, 2012 at 7:29 pm (UTC 0)
Haha, well there are a few women including Kathy Burke! But mainly a male dominated cast. I also really liked Hardy in it as well as Oldman, but it didn’t quite gel for me unfortunately!
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January 28, 2012 at 5:43 pm (UTC 0)
Ow…I want to see this badly!!!! Still waiting for it in cinema.
Is the DVD has same content as Blue Ray?
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January 30, 2012 at 7:32 pm (UTC 0)
I’m not sure to be honest. Scott reviewed the extras of the disc you see, which was the Blu-ray, but I assume it will have most, if not all the same features for it. I know the Blu-ray is available in the UK in a steelbook, which is always a nice touch
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January 29, 2012 at 4:41 pm (UTC 0)
With so much information being thrown at us, I wish that there was much more time for all of it to just sink in but I liked the fact that the film made you pay attention to every little detail as this story just kept building and building. Everybody here in this cast is great too, especially Oldman who perfectly brings this flick together. Good review Mike.
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January 30, 2012 at 7:35 pm (UTC 0)
Cheers! I wonder if another viewing (having seen and with the power of hindsight) might give me more enjoyment, who knows? Oldman was great though!
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January 30, 2012 at 6:36 am (UTC 0)
Great review Mike, I have not seen the film for myself so I cannot really comment, but it is always great to hear a different opinion!
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January 30, 2012 at 7:36 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks Matt!
I think it has got a ridiculous amount of praise in honesty, but it serves well as a spy film and seemed to really dazzle some critics, but not this one =P
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January 30, 2012 at 6:08 pm (UTC 0)
Oooh, I might rent this one just to see all the bonus features. This is also the kind of film I’d probably get more of as a rental as I can turn on the subtitles. Being that English isn’t my native tongue I often have trouble with the accents, especially when they’re speaking so softly. Nice writeup, Mike!
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January 30, 2012 at 7:38 pm (UTC 0)
Definitely worth a rental, you might be alright with the accents because it’s not too quick, but more slow and methodical.
Glad you enjoyed the write up, cheers!
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January 31, 2012 at 5:21 am (UTC 0)
The first few words of the title of this post alone “Blu-ray review” makes me sad when I realize that it STILL hasn’t come to any theater near me, yet the blu-ray is already making its rounds. ha.
Surprised to see it receive a 3/5 here though. thought it’d get a higher rating. Thanks Mike for the review!
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February 1, 2012 at 1:23 pm (UTC 0)
It didn’t live up to expectations for me unfortunately and I know a few others who felt let down, but then some fellow film critics really loved it!
Shame you didn’t get it in the cinema by you, but you can at least try and get it on Blu or DVD now
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January 31, 2012 at 5:59 pm (UTC 0)
Really enjoyed this when I saw it in theaters. I just wish it was a little easier to understand. Gary Oldman is Ace in this role though. It’d be fun to see him win the Oscar, but I doubt it.
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February 1, 2012 at 1:36 pm (UTC 0)
Yeah he as good but I also struggled to keep up with what was going on! Will be interesting to see whether he does get the Oscar, but am not sure he will either.
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January 31, 2012 at 10:18 pm (UTC 0)
I started reading this and then I thought: “haven’t I read this before?”
While it was superbly shot and featured a very able cast, I wasn’t that struck with TTSS. If I copy comes my way I’ll definitely watch it again, though. Maybe I’ll get more out of it on a second watch.
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February 1, 2012 at 1:38 pm (UTC 0)
Very perceptive of you
I’d watch it again if I get hold of it, but won’t go out my way though.
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February 1, 2012 at 11:37 pm (UTC 0)
Just finished watching it now Mike, and I completely agree with your review and rating. As much as I can appreciate great cinematography and brilliant acting, if this isn’t held together with solid direction the end result is bound to be slightly disappointing.
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