Bland office interior. Bleak weather. Tea and whiskey shared among old men and their young successors. If these images do not scream out “international spy thriller” to you, do not be surprised. In an age where films are filled with beautiful women, exotic locations, and explosive combat (look at the James Bond movies and the Mission: Impossible series), the Tomas Alfredson-directed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is an apple among oranges. However, this change of pace and attention to detail is welcomed.
This adaptation of John le Carré’s 1973 novel revitalizes a genre of quiet suspense, paying homage to past generations of cinema while delivering its story with contemporary style. Set in early 1970s Britain, the head of British Intelligence (John Hurt, The Elephant Man) sets out to uncover a mole within the organization. Following his death, retired agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman, The Dark Knight) takes control of the investigation. After this is established early in the plot, nothing else is clear until the film’s conclusion. The only certainty is that a spy of Soviet allegiance has infiltrated the British Intelligence system and that he or she must be found.
Murky and sometimes dark, the story is driven by an ensemble cast featuring Academy Award winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) and Tom Hardy (Inception). Constructed with a dry setting, the film’s cinematography captivates the audience by building tension in each scene. Amidst the rain and overcast skies, whomever the camera follows is never quite alone within the frame of the shot. Curious characters lurk out of focus in the background, drawing attention to themselves and creating a sense of paranoia. Within these same shots, however, the characters are frequently isolated and left alone on screen. This leaves them exposed to what is not shown on camera, making it feel as if they are constantly being watched.
Brilliant film techniques like these give the film and eerie and uncertain atmosphere which effectively underscores its story. Oldman is subtly excellent in the role of the protagonist. Behind his thickly-rimmed glasses, he subtly yet powerful conveys his character’s highly intelligent mind at work, with his face only revealing significant emotion at key moments. The performances from the supporting cast members also build on the film’s realism.
While this movie features several plot twists, the audience can follow the story but only if they pay attention vigilantly. The story’s sole detractor is its lack of development of some of the supporting characters. Though the character’s actions and motives are eventually made clear, the audience has little time to become familiar or sympathize with them. This leads to a lack of investment in their fates as the story plays out. Therefore, the film’s conclusion might not be as fulfilling for some viewers. Alfredson makes great use of both the setting and characters.
Already a subject of Academy Award discussion, this film was a great way to cap off 2011 and is sure to be considered a classic in years to come.