Gary Oldman is amazing. No matter what he does, he impresses. While Oldman is a wonderful actor, he doesn't have to carry Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on his own; he is surrounded by an amazing cast. Together, they turn in one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time.
The film is set in the early 1970s in England. It focuses on "The Circus" and the search for a supposed mole. The film's plot is perfectly paced, not really leaving a good moment to go to the restroom. It's not that you risk missing a big action beat or huge plot points. Unlike many films today, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is very understated. They treat the audience as if they have a brain. If you're not paying attention, you can miss small details that enrich the film as a whole.
Mark found the film to be somewhat depressing, mainly because of the visual aesthetic. Because the bulk of the film takes place in England in the early 1970s, the color palette is quite muted. Add in some dreary weather, and the film creates a rather somber tone. In an interesting decision, the film is actually quite grainy. While this isn't distracting in close to mid range shots, it becomes very apparent in long shots. It helps to cement that feeling that this happened in a period when there was no HD. In the very begining, I found it to be distracting, as it pulled me out of the film. Fortunately, as the reels rolled on, I became so engrossed in the story that the grainy appearance no longer detracted from the film. It just felt right.
For a movie with very little action, quite a bit of British dialogue, and a ton of observing, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a wonderfully crafted film. If you want a mindless movie, stay away from this one. If you want a great movie that treats you like an intelligent adult, find somewhere to see this movie. I live near three primary theaters, only one of which was showing this film.
Good luck finding it; it is well worth it!
(Moved from FB - January 13, 2012)
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