Big Picture Big Sound

Methodical Spy, Clever Tinkerer, Gripping Thriller

I must admit, I was predisposed to like this movie. I try to remain detached and objective going into a movie review, but put period costumes, accents, and cool sets all together, and I'm smitten. Add in some actors I like, and objectivity goes out the window.

The first few moments of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" certainly lived up to my expectations, supplying in equal parts, accents, visuals, and a bunch of excellent actors. Then it started to lose me. Rapidly. The first half hour or so bounces around in time and plot, with no easy way to follow it.

But I went with it, for two main reasons. The first: the world of early 70s British Secret Intelligence Service (colloquially "MI6", though this moniker isn't mentioned) was immaculately constructed. It was a grittier, most realistic version of classic Bond. A wet, subdued grime permeates everything. It's visually intriguing, like the producers of Mad Men got pissed and made a spy movie.

The second, is Gary Oldman. I'm a big fan of Oldman's, loving him in his angry roles ("Not one or two or three but FOUR! FOUR STONES!") and his angry roles ("I haven't got TIME for this Mickey Mouse bull$#%*!"). Here, though, he's quiet - almost eerily so. As a competent and methodical master of spycraft, he's effortless and eminently watchable as the main character, George Smiley.

Based on a 1974 novel, which had already been made into a 7-part mini-series, the plot is multi-layered and in some places, difficult to follow. The simplest summary is that Smiley is brought out of forced retirement to find a Soviet double agent in the top inner circle of British Intelligence. It's a spy movie crafted around a mystery, as the best often are.

"TTSS" unfolds slowly, its complex nature exacerbated by limited exposition. This is a movie you have to pay attention to, a lot. Not quite "Inception" levels of "whaaa?" but remembering names is vital. I found this level of involvement to be refreshing. I can see how some might find it confusing. If you think Micheal Bay's movies have too much plot, you should avoid "TTSS".

Regardless, the muted visual pallet and incredible performances keep you interested. That's the brilliance of it. As difficult as it is, you want to keep watching. You want to figure out who the double agent really is. The rest of the cast is nearly as good as Oldman. Colin Firth and Ciarán Hinds are excellent, of course, but so is Benedict Cumberbatch. If you haven't checked out the latter in the BBC's Sherlock, you should right now.

By the time you get to the end, like many great movies, you'll want to watch it again, realizing there was so much subtext you missed the first go-around. Overall a fantastic and absorbing way to spend two hours.