You'd be hard pressed to find a better ensemble cast this summer than in this brilliant Cold War spy thriller.
Based on a novel by the great John Le Carre, and directed by Tomas Alfredson (Let The Right One In) Tinker, Tailor is one of the most riveting thrillers I have seen in a long time.
Set in the early 70s, we’re introduced to Control (John Hurt), head of the top British intelligence service – MI6, affectionately known as ‘The Circus’. A high level operation in Hungary has just gone horribly wrong, with the death of one of their top agents. The mission was meant to help uncover a mole in the agency, but ends up with Control, along with fellow old-timer George Smiley (Oldman) being ousted.
It’s not long before the investigation starts up again, based on a tip from rogue agent Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy), who claims to have information that will lead MI6 to the culprit. With Control now dead, public servant Oliver Lacon (Simon McBurney) brings back Smiley from retirement, as he needs someone he can trust to find out the truth. Aided by lower level agent Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberpatch) the two of them start to slowly uncover a scandal that goes right to the top of the tower.
I don’t want to spoil much more of the plot, but the title corresponds to the key men that Control suspected, before his untimely demise. Tinker (Percy Alleline), Tailor (Bill Haydon) and Soldier (Roy Bland). All three must be ticked off by Smiley, without any of them getting a whiff of the investigation.
Tinker, Tailor weaves its way through many red herrings, subtle allusions; twists, and turns. It’s rare these days to find a movie that demands some modicum of intelligence from its audience. If you expect to go into this and have everything spelled out for you, you’ll leave one angry customer. Persevere and the rewards are well worth it.
There are no big budget chase sequences, or mind-blowing stunts. Most of the action takes place in smoke-filled backrooms and it’s subtle conversations that move the story along. Devoid of whiz-bang special effects, it’s surprising how gripping two or three people talking can be, especially with a script of this calibre.
Director Alfredson shows he was no one-hit wonder with Let The Right One In – he has a real mastery of the camera and modulates the pace perfectly, slowly building tension from one scene to the next until you’re totally hooked.
Tinker, Tailor has an outstanding cast. Hurt. Oldman. Firth. Strong. Cumberpatch. Jones. Hardy. Even Harry Potter would struggle to match this roster of British talent. Their performances are all excellent, Oldman’s a career best. His Smiley is a wiley character – he doesn’t let on much through conversation but you can tell all the permutations of the possible mole are going through his head a hundred miles an hour.
This really is one of the best thrillers to come out in ages, but I must re-iterate that you HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION. Do not go to this wanting some mindless Friday night fun. The cast is flawless and the direction pitch-perfect, and if you can persevere with the seemingly endless twists and turns the ending is that much more satisfying. Thoroughly recommended.
4 Stars
Andrew Cozens