“Tinkering” Along
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Directed by Thomas Alfredson
Written by Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan
Staring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch
When most modern American audiences walk in a “spy film” there are expecting to witness Ethan Hunt take unrealistic leaps across skyscrapers or Jason Bourne to engaged in never ending car chases through the quaint streets of Paris. Enter “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” a spy film that is not offering highflying acrobatics or bulletproof superheroes but instead is offering a very realistic portrayals of John le Carre’s novel of the same name. Lead by Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor” is exceptionally acted by an all-star ensemble cast through a intricate maze of deception and mystery. But is the acting at the level it needs to be to carry the dialogue heavy and exposition filled film? Or does the greater mystery to the audience become the search for the ideal 10 minutes to take a nap.
An adaptation of John le Carre’s novel is no easy task. 400 plus pages of espionage and deception, loads of exposition and backstory, and a handful of central characters. It was enough material to create a 7-part miniseries created by BBC in 1979. Thomas Alfredson (Let The Right One In) has his hands full trying to squeeze everything in a feature film. The material is dialogue heavy, scene after scene of secrets being traded and information being exchanged. To add to the challenged of a complex dialogue filled feature there is more exposition to deliver and comprehend than the entire Bourne franchised combined. Alfredson’s challenge: to capture excitement and thrill throughout a two-hour feature highlighting the exchanges of dialogue with the occasionally streak of violence or action.
“Tinker Tailor” is much in debt to its talented cast. Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight, Leon: The Professional) is captivating as George Smiley. Oldman finally gets a role that lets him be still and silent. His poker-face Smiley is subtle but effective. It is one of the most understated performances of the year. Oldman never goes to far with the role and we only wish the written screenplay had a little more for him to do. While he is quietly brilliant we feel as if he never truly gets the chance to flex his acting muscles. Colin Firth’s (The King’s Speech, A Single Man) Bill Haydon easily has the most to do in the film and is the only actor that really gets a chance to show his range. His performance is charming and enchanting and with a well-penned character he truly shines through as one of the highlights of the film. The rest of the supporting cast is effective but all the characters feel very one-note. With the exception of Firth no other actor really gets a chance to craft a true character arch. Instead we are left with brilliant performances by some of the most talented actors working today but with no ending effect. Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood), Tom Hardy (Inception, Warrior), John Hurt (Alien, V for Vendetta),and Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement, War Horse) are all wonderful in their supporting roles but none really get the opportunity to do anything in the film besides deliver information or exposition. With a runtime of 2hrs and 7min you would think “Tinker Tailor” has no time to drag. Sadly that is not the case in Alfredson’s adaptation. What should be a thriller of witty dialogue and powerful exchanges instead becomes a diluted mess of editing and flashbacks that makes it difficult for even the most attentive moviegoing to connect with. It’s not that “Tinker Tailor” is bad, it’s just not as good as it should be with the cast and the source material. With so much to cover in two hours there is a surprising amount of wasted time. Instead of finding a pace and flow that clips along we are left with a dragging narrative constantly interrupted with flashbacks. A creative narrative is key when composing a dialogue intensive film. ”Tinker Tailor” is anything but fresh in its narrative relying on traditional film practices that never lift the film to a higher level. With a lackluster score and bland editing the film simply drags one dialogue scene to the next. Instead of being on the edge of our seats awaiting the next tidbit of information we simply recline back and wait for something to happen. It’s a shame the “Tinker Tailor” never finds it flow because it has a beautiful visual world in which it is set in. Alfredson really captures the 1970’s in every frame of the film. Nothing was spared in costumes and set design. The locations are picture perfect and give the actors a great place to play. Alfredson has a simple yet effective style that really finds its own and works well with “Tinker Tailor”.
Article by J.R.
