Sunday, January 22, 2012

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)


Tom Alfredson directed this new British spy story, set in the 70s and concerning the British Intelligence agency as they attempt to uncover a mole in the system. Gary Oldman stars as George Smiley, the principal character in this drama, whose history and importance is rather unclear, but who has been taken out of retirement to work on the case, getting advice from a political outcast and also incorporating help from another young agent. That is all I will explain of the film's plot for two reasons. First, because offering any more of what I know would count as spoilers. Second, because trying to explain what this movie is about would be intellectual suicide. I couldn't do it if you paid me.

My only experience with Alfredson's films is with Let the Right One, an interesting, calculating thriller that was later remade as the equally good Let Me In. With this film, an adaptation of the 1974 John le Carre novel, I wish he would have dropped the calculating part and focused more on the interesting. Not knowing anything at all about the book, I can still assume that there was a story in there that made some kind of sense. This film seems to have been made by one of those bad storytellers who can't remember which facts are actually important or not. There are many moments that zero in on things like sweat dripping, bees buzzing, hands twitching and knives slicing, but to an unknown purpose. There were multiple lengthy scenes that had me genuinely dumbfounded as to what was going on and how it fit in with the story being told. I imagined all the pages being ripped out of the book and scattered all over a library, and the pieces were put back together as best as possible, but a few pages from other stories got in by mistake. By the time the movie was over, I had a vague impression that I understood what happened, but I couldn't repeat it if I tried.

There's nothing wrong with movies that leave things unexplained. They give viewers a chance to think for themselves and actually witness something that will test their mind. So, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy could very well be one of the smartest movies out there. If that's the case, it was too smart for me. I did appreciate that this was a thriller that presented the spy world for what it actually is, rather than taking place in the fantasy world of James Bond's kind. This is also a great type of movie to showcase character actors, because we can never recognize them in movies anyway, and Oldman does stand out. I am finding it hard to get past the chaos of the structure, unable to decide if it is a brain-stretching gift or a cinematic disaster. There is certainly a good movie in here, but it is hard to recommend because of the difficulty in finding it. I am at a loss.

Revision: I have now seen this film twice and I can certainly say my opinion has changed for the better. After the first viewing, I was so befuddled and focused on just trying to understand what was going on that I was unable to properly decipher if it was actually a good movie. I can now confirm that it is. The first viewing was like seeing a bunch of puzzle pieces scattered all over a table and the second was like seeing the whole puzzle, complete and logical. I have also been made aware that the novel is actually just one of many George Smiley stories that Carre has told, with this one specifically being the first of a trilogy of sorts. In other words, this movie doesn't entirely stand on its own. It is part of a much bigger picture. I still do not recommend the film be a first-time introduction to the tale. I would definitely suggest you read it first and then experience it.

8/10

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