Starring: Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Kathy Burke, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Rating:
The tone of mistrust and doubt is struck right at the start of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Agent Prideaux (Mark Strong), summoned by the spy-chief Control (John Hurt), is asked if he was followed on the way in even as he is ordered to go to Budapest to get info on the mole planted by the Russians in the British Intelligence, aka Circus. The intricate film is a journey in search of that unknown spy with quiet, forlorn former agent Smiley (Oldman) recalled from retirement to help identify which of his former colleagues could be the one.
Restrained, unhurried and wonderfully moody, Alfredson’s film on the John le Carre novel brings alive the menace, the decay and the underlying web of loyalties and betrayals. The soundtrack is splendid, like the use of the song Second best secret agent in the long X-mas party sequence. Another exquisitely orchestrated, tension-filled set-piece unfolds in a Budapest cafe where just a drop of sweat on a waiter’s brow prepares us for what is to come.
Beautifully shot, the film’s blue and grey palette, the images of cold landscape, frosty buildings and the icy gaze of its characters say a lot. Small gestures, fleeting expressions are exquisitely captured. Everyone is suspicious and everyone is a suspect. Each is out to uncover but has something to hide. To Alfredson’s credit, he enmeshes these people and their individual stories expertly. Some get portrayed in depth while others leave you wanting more. Overall, TTSS packs an engrossing punch.
