A couple of years ago Tomas Alfredson unleashed what many people, myself included, believe to be a masterpiece: Let The Right One In. That film redefined the vampire genre, proved that child actors could give brilliantly crafted and timeless performances, and demonstrated that Alfredson was one of the best directors to come in recent memory. He displayed a knack for scene construction and storytelling that was both original and increasingly captivating. With Let The Right One In, Alfredson took a book and turned it into a film that was its own thing without ever dismissing the source. He does the same with in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but to lesser results.

After being let go from the highest branch of British Intelligence called the Circus, George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is given information concerning a mission in Budapest that ended in the apparent death of Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong), his forced retirement and that of his superior named Control (John Hurt). There is a Russian mole in the Circus placed there by a top Russian entity known only as Karla. Smiley with the help of Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) start investigating the four possible suspected double agent: Bill Haydon (Colin Firth), Percy Allelline (Toby Jones), Toby Esterhase (David Dencik), and Roy Bland (Ciaran Hinds).

The first aspect of this film that got everyone’s attention was the more than stellar cast Alfredson was able to assembled. What’s even more impressive is the fact that every cast member, no matter how little screen time they possess, is able to give a brilliant, engrossing and beautifully crafted performance. It’s hard to say which of the supporting actors and actresses are better, because every one of them is just so remarkable. For me personally, it’s a five-way tie between John Hurt, Kathy Burke, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch. Hurt brings a real sense of gravitas to the role of Control and palpable paranoia that fits perfectly with his character. Kathy Burke only has one scene and manages to be absolutely memorable. Hardy is also great as always, Colin Firth lights up the screen every time he’s in, while Benedict Cumberbatch gives a beautifully film breakthrough performance as my favourite character in the book.

The more one thinks about these actors alongside the likes of Mark Strong, Toby Jones and David Dencik, the greater and more memorable their performances become. Each cast member is able to convey so many emotions, thoughts and backstories with a simple subtle gesture. Some of them have very little lines, but every time they say something it is with purpose, vigour and an absolutely spellbinding expertise. Watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy you feel a real sense that this is arguably one of the best acted ensemble films to ever be made. The acting is just so genius that this whole cast could easily fill up the whole category for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars of BAFTAs. I’m truly surprised this film was not nominated for ensemble at the SAG Awards, I can’t imagine an actor watching this film and not thinking that such stellar acting is above and beyond all the other ensembles seen in 2011.

But, of course, the actor that is getting the most attention and rightfully so is none other than Gary Oldman. Oldman has made a name for himself by playing very showy and at times extremely over-the-top characters, but on this latter half of his career he is dialling things down considerably. With George Smiley however, he has delivered by far his best performance to date. Smiley is a very quiet, subtle man that people walking down the street would easily forget. He speaks very softly and sits very still, and to be able to do all those things is quite impressive. I believe being showy is far more easier than being restrained, and Oldman’s performance is the definition of restrained. But I think it is because of his stillness and subtle gestures that you are drawn to him, and when he speaks he becomes the centre of attention. It’s a really physical performance and Gary Oldman succeeds beautifully. I could literally watch him play George Smiley forever and not get tired.

A further aspect of this film that makes it standout above the rest is the whole look of it. The cinematography is beautifully somber and perfectly conjures up that feeling of loneliness, stillness and increasing paranoia. Every shot is just so beautifully lighted and constructed that it took my breath away. Tomas Alfedson’s direction is also absolutely amazing and he goes above and beyond what anyone would’ve expected. He handles the material like only an expert can and manages to remain faithful to the book while also creating a new type of spy film unlike any I’ve ever seen. The production design is also unbelievably stellar and I especially love the room (in the above picture) where all the high members of the Circus meet up. Then there’s also the Oscar-worthy and masterpiece of a score by Alberto Iglesias. Listening to his haunting and mournful but captivating songs alongside these visuals made me fall in love with the score all over again.

I know this next part will sound a bit contradictory, but I have to admit that after watching the film I was disappointed and I felt that it was underwhelming. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a slow-burn film, meaning that it is very slow and will probably bore some people. There is an inherited coldness and stillness in the film, which upon later thought makes sense because the film itself is a mirror image of George Smiley. Nevertheless, some people will find the slow-pace rather dull as I did at the beginning. Moreover, if people are not familiar with the story or haven’t read the books, there is a high chance that you will be confused as to what is happening. The film doesn’t give you much information, instead it suggest certain things while withholding others and after a couple of viewing the unfamiliar viewer will get most of the information. One thing that I still do not like is the way Alfredson underplayed certain key and suspenseful moments from the book. In the film they are brushed over too quickly and they miss their potential impact.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is one of the best spy films I have ever seen. This film is not a thriller in the normal sense, instead it is a slow-burn highly intelligent drama that once you adjust yourself to the pace will enjoy. For other people the slow-pace will be a problem and the lack of information provided will certainly confuse them or turn them off, but one must pay a lot of attention in order to understand what’s happening. Everything about this film is of the highest caliber from the more than brilliant acting to the Oscar-worthy cinematography to Alberto Iglesias score, which in my opinion should win every award. Gary Oldman has deliver a truly accomplished and beaituflly subtle performance that will only become greater the more one watches it, while Tomas Alfredson has again proved why he is one of the best filmmakers working today. This is not the masterpiece that Let The Right One In is, and while I at first was disappointed with Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy after thinking about it and writing this review I’ve know grown to like it.

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