Excellent actors, parts in Budapest, ingenious directing... but as dry as a desert and all enjoyment has been sucked out of it. Terrible disappointment.

Nothing new, boring.

(2nd viewing) Alfredson will go down as one of the 21st century's finest directors; His latest film is an assuredly crafted, purposely convoluted yet impeccably plotted mystery that oozes a sumptuous 70's flair. Much in the same vein of the world it paints, the film bears a stamp of icy authencity yet doesn't shy away from the occasional temptation of cloaking it in a virtuous mantle, restoring the ties that bind amid the changes and growing insecurity imposed by the Cold War; A thing of beauty.

In this concise and often brilliantly layered document of Cold War paranoia, Alfredson's precise approach fully immerses us in this universe of spies, lies and back stabbings, significantly aided by top-notch production design and score, and the overall effect is stunning. Besides the superb aesthetics of the film, the script is a tight and engrossing adaptation of Le Carré's novel, the actors are all solid (especially Oldman and Hardy) and the final act serves as a highly satisfying climax.

If you are prepared for the slowest movie ever, there is greatness to be found here. The acting is the best part with a perfect Oldman in the lead. It is probably a deliberate choice to make the film this boring; perhaps it would have been amazing if the tempo was increased significantly.

20120213 slow paced butterflies in my stomach. and after a long time, I felt I 1-really wanted to know how it ended, and 2-was wishing it was A rather than B, to suddenly realize : yay! I am invested in the movie and for a second I forgot I was in a theatre.

The antithesis to the Bond franchise 'Tinker Tailor' is slowly paced but endlessly intriguing and as atmospheric as any motion picture of the year. If not more. With a mise-en-scčne to commit treason for - the art direction and cinematography is particularly striking - topped with effortless acting (Oldman! Hurt! Hardy! Cumberbatch! Firth! etc. etc. etc.) this one has "something to trade, something big", indeed.

One of those beautifully-crafted films that both shows, rather than tells, and lets all the pieces fall organically into place rather than spelling them out for the viewer. Very stylish, and featuring a pitch-perfect score by Alberto Iglesias, the screenplay's ability to maintain a gripping pace, despite (or perhaps because of) the nonlinear storytelling, is really what makes TTSS work so well. One of the year's finest, and one of the best spy movies I've seen.

slow burner. a little predictable

Alfredson's mark is unique and very stylish, like John Le Carre. Once again Le Carre to beat Bond and Bourne.

I hate to admit this, but I really ran out of patience here. There's not a lot going on, and while I do enjoy a slow-building, thrilling mystery, I like it to build to something.. and then for something to happen. Maybe I missed the point, but I'm not convinced there was one.

Thematically and visually this is an elegant film throughout: it seems to succeed quite well in depicting the atmosphere of cold war and the personal burden of being a spy. The soundtrack also fits, Oldman makes a skillfully cold performance and the ending is effective in its articulation. What might be lacking is more substance instead of mere indications: maybe something that would open itself easier if the viewer had read the novel.

Should have taken more time to fully introduce us to the characters. Most of the time I had just an inkling of what was going on. A lot of the Important events are just spoken about and we get a few flashbacks, and even when we see what is happening I was just left wondering why everyone was so tense. I just pretended this movie was about a guy who has his favorite lighter stolen, and then comes up with a really elaborate scheme to get it back.

Really, REALLY get the feeling that I missed something potentially special here. I feel like... I know what I saw... I just don't know WHAT I SAW, if that makes any sense. I can't lie, for much of the movie, I felt very lost, and that doesn't usually happen to me. It's a slow-to-develop, in some ways meandering movie, with performances that were good, but that I can't help but feel like I would have enjoyed much more had I been better able to follow the plot. A second viewing is necessary here.

A very atmospheric film, due to Alfredson's tight direction, the exquisite sound and music and the very effective editing. Still, and although it picks up during the second part, it is not completely engaging and definitely has a lot to learn from the masters of the genre. Also, despite the fact that there are a lot of very good actors in it, only Mark Strong is really good. "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" could have been great, but in the end it is just good enough to keep you going.

A great acting movie with Oldman at the top. Fantastic slow paced, cold, authentic.

Good thriller, however it is too complex, must read the book for better understanding.

This was running parallel to being something incredible. It just never got there.

There's a story, a plot...everything a spy movie should have, but it's not a bit interesting, engaging or entertaining. At the end you don't give a bit for what you've been watching for the last two hours.

Maybe it was not a good day to watch this movie, but I didn't understand 'anything' (meaning not enough to be engaged), it bored me to hell and apart of direction, cinematography and great performances, I didnt' find anything on it I enjoy a bit. Well, I like the ending, but I don't really know what lead to that, though it makes some previous scenes a bit more easy to understand (just a bit). Maybe another year I could think about revisiting it, or maybe after reading the book, but not now.

what i understood was good, acting was great, but i was lost a few times

A tremendously assured piece of film making, with a great cast.

A sharp, intelligent and involving piece of cinema. Although the direction is supurb, it was the brilliant cast that really made this stand out for me. Oldman anchors the movie expertly, but in particular Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong are also fantastic. Highly recommended.

'Old-school' British spy thriller that aims for 'realistic' plot instead of glamor and action of James Bond type of films. Oldman is the key figure here - his character has both depth and introverted-badassery that fits him well; this is one of his best roles. The problems comes with pacing - frankly, it's a bit boring, and felt totally anti-climatic. Second viewing to catch all the details when you know the outcome might be beneficial, but I don't think I'll talk myself into it.

I have to admit it was a good watch, but it just feels as if too much was crammed into this movie. Or that the material wasn't given enough time on screen to be properly developed. Anyway, it can be pretty difficult to follow what's going on if you're not paying attention... and even if you are, you might still need to watch this again to understand how everything pieces together.

Looking forward to be rewatching this as I love the style and athmosphere but feel like a great lot went over my head.

An espionage movie without any action. Focused on the dramatic side. Good performances from the actors.

Such a claustrophobic, dreary pictorial of 70s Europe. We are left wondering whether we know any more than at the beginning, or if as hinted at by the symbolism whether this was a game. A jaded search for meaning that epitomises the human condition on its outer macrocosm. Inside the micro landscape is the rotting core of bureacracy and the "progress" of "intelligence." Compelling, if only for its obstinant way of being as opaque as possible.

Slow to develop. I wanted it to be great, but it just didn't get there. Ending was rather anticlimactic. Could have been better with the cast it had!

There's a kernel of a good story in here, but the movie doesn't take enough time to tell it. It's supposed to be a paranoid story about a sleeper-agent, but I didn't know any of the characters well enough to care whether they were a spy. When the ending reveal comes, there's not much to say other than, "Oh, that guy, huh. What was his name again?" Wish I would have read the book before seeing the film.

Albeit being somewhat puzzled at the end, I thought it was beautifully shot, twisted and acted out. Thrilling. And as it seems, directed with a great respect for le Carre's universe. Okay, so it's hard to follow. In this case, it's an invitation to listen closely, a slap that makes you turn the other cheak and increase attention. Not like when I first saw a Mission Impossible film and thought "Hey, he was dead! What...!? Oh, well, I'll just watch the action then. Where are the popcorns?"

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Finally. A plot driven film where you don't have "basil exposition" holding your hand through the entire film. So refreshing. Another, please, Hr. Alfredson.

The anti-Bond spy film. Beautifully shot, very understated, and fascinating to watch three stars of successive generations of British actors (Hurt, Oldman, Hardy) in one thriller. Smiley's empty promise destroys the veneer of upheld morality on 'our' side.