Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2011
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 7m
In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons. (imdb)
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2011
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 7m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 56.86% from 4050 total ratings
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Rated 09 Dec 2011
92
89th
Was witnessing how the half of the audience left the premises of the hall after 20 mins of watching. Pity people are so adjusted to crashed cars, constant shooting and blowing of entire cities that they cannot react and perceive pure beauty by Alfredson, covered under super smart script, stunning performance and relentless connection to the reality.
Rated 09 Dec 2011
Rated 19 Jan 2012
65
39th
The story is great with a cast all performing near the top of their game. I love Alfredson og have a huge man crush on Oldman. Everything about this movie tells me ought to love it, so it is with great disappointment I admit that I don't. I don't know what it is, perhaps it's the pace of the story or lack here of. I don't know. This movie was like a bad first date with a girl you've been texting. All these expectations and everything falls into place, but yet the spark just isn't there.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
Rated 16 Sep 2011
85
96th
In an era when so-called "British comedy(?)" and CGI schlockfests are popular, it is remarkably refreshing to see such an intelligent espionage film do so well. The phenomenal performances (Oldman turns in what could possibly be his best straight acting role to date) and the gripping, suspenseful story are undoubtedly the films strong points, as well as how beautiful it looks, but there is quite a lot to take in at a fast rate and it can be difficult to keep up at times. One of this years best.
Rated 16 Sep 2011
Rated 07 Jan 2012
3
28th
One of the (if not THE) year's coldest, driest, most dispassionate and emotionless moviegoing experiences. Rarely have I felt less thrilled during a nominal thriller. All this despite the murderer's row of terrific British actors, all of whom have put in work that's floored me in the past. It's deeply ironic to see Oldman finally get his first Oscar nomination for this, his least interesting performance to date.
Rated 07 Jan 2012
Rated 12 Feb 2012
88
96th
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.
Rated 12 Feb 2012
Rated 22 Jan 2012
89
93rd
A strong, slow burn. Alfredson's precise direction and the acting talent on display here perfectly suits the cold yet emotional story. Demands a second watch, in order to catch all the details on display.
Rated 22 Jan 2012
Rated 12 Jan 2012
82
80th
Wildly intricate and beautifully shot, TTSS is a flash back to the days of the Conversation and Le Samourai. I'm not going to admit that I picked up on everything, as the seemingly simple plot is filmed in an extremely complex way. I suppose this could be akin to the paranoia of having spies all around you. Absolutely deserves a second watch...and maybe a third.
Rated 12 Jan 2012
Rated 07 Jan 2012
82
96th
Condensed, intricate, elaborate, slow, and stunningly beautiful, this may be one of the best plotted and best acted films in years.
Rated 07 Jan 2012
Rated 11 Jan 2012
56
38th
A noble snooze. Dry to the point of aridity and stubbornly opaque. Alfredson has (deliberately?) slurped all the joy out of what could have been a crackling, brainy thriller; this isn't just a spy movie for people who don't like spy movies, it's a spy movie for people who don't like movies. It's a well-meaning project, there are memorable bits here and there, and the cast certainly tries, but to say that we're kept at arm's length throughout is an understatement.
Rated 11 Jan 2012
Rated 28 Jan 2012
84
84th
A delicately shot film that radiates a deep dank Cold War atmosphere from the morass of intelligence and counter-intelligence. Well acted and paced to suit Gary Oldman's measured and deliberating character George Smiley, this film is not one for the impatient or easily distracted, but is a good watch for those who are prepared to be immersed by it.
Rated 28 Jan 2012
Rated 28 Dec 2011
70
58th
It's difficult, but at the same time, it feels real. Espionage is not high-octane intensity, but really just a bunch of guys talking. Oldman and company are fantastic. Atmosphere is heavy and lovely. The narrative, however, is dense; don't blink or tune out, or you'll be lost. It's paced delicately. May have to let it grow on me more, or see it a second time, to appreciate it further, but what I've seen has left a great impression.
Rated 28 Dec 2011
Rated 12 Feb 2012
50
41st
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.
Rated 12 Feb 2012
Rated 20 Apr 2014
85
94th
[rewatch] Many of the criticisms I've seen of this are precisely what make the movie so incredible. It's so cold and dry because it's a film about people whose entire way of life is predicated on suppressing their humanity -- or, in MI6's terms, their weaknesses. It's a labyrinthine nightmare, but the cinematography itself tells the story so well that the logistics almost don't matter, even though they all fall into place perfectly. Easily the best film of 2011 and one of the best ever made.
Rated 20 Apr 2014
Rated 15 May 2012
60
62nd
Fairly interesting espionage tale. Without having read the novel from which it is adapted, it would seem reasonable to hope, with this kind of thing, for a slightly greater preponderance of wit from the characters than is put on screen here, but the film nevertheless contains enough subtlety and craftsmanship to maintain the viewer's attention without ever becoming totally gripping. Certainly more than an exercise in style, but probably not quite a work of art, and perhaps a little forgettable.
Rated 15 May 2012
Rated 01 Jul 2012
70
55th
Yes, it looks great and the cast is pretty damn nice, but I thought the structure was rather shoddy at times. It doesn't really take the time to properly build up to the biggest reveals, the editing makes things feel rather rushed at times, and character-wise we're missing out on a lot of elements that make the (original) story so wonderfully melancholy. The end result isn't really satisfying, and only looks good in comparison to the competition because it isn't dumbed down to the extreme.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
Rated 27 Dec 2011
88
87th
That le Carre's MI6 -- a place of meticulous but painfully mundane planning, investigation & execution, completely devoid of theatricality -- is nicknamed "The Circus" is the film's best, subtle joke. Its men's methodicalness is paralleled by the film's own formal rigor -- which are contrasted by the film's primary metaphor, a game of chess with no board. With this and LTROI, Alfredson is becoming a master of the "happy" ending: The "good guys" win, but there are no good guys. The point is moot.
Rated 27 Dec 2011
Rated 19 Feb 2012
8
78th
(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.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
Rated 24 Jan 2012
50
27th
I have no fucking clue what happened in this movie.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
Rated 11 Feb 2012
81
60th
A very cerebral spy thriller. This film only gives you minimal details on the action and forces you to fill in the rest. It demands a rewatch.
Rated 11 Feb 2012
Rated 27 Sep 2011
91
94th
I refused to even rate this the first time I saw it, because I knew it needed - DEMANDED - a second watch. Once you wrap your head around the labyrinthine plot, you can fully appreciate the masterful direction, incredible lighting and set design, intricate, expertly-paced script, and exquisitely subtle performances from every actor involved. It's not always the easiest film to follow - seemingly inconsequential scenes later on have a world of importance - but it's all there if you're looking.
Rated 27 Sep 2011
Rated 03 Nov 2012
82
69th
It's a slow starter, and it can be a bit cold and distant throughout, but everything unfolds so wonderfully that you can't help but enjoy it. The plot is wonderfully complex and fascinating, and every performance is great from one of the finest casts of british actors you'll ever see in a movie.
Rated 03 Nov 2012
Rated 18 Oct 2018
75
72nd
Very good, if a little beige and perhaps a bit muddled with all the jumping back-and-forth. That cast is terrific. Perhaps it isn't as ultimately satisfying as it should be, but this is still a superior spy thriller.
Rated 18 Oct 2018
Rated 05 Feb 2012
6
62nd
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.
Rated 05 Feb 2012
Rated 10 Nov 2015
70
70th
A thriller about uncovering a mole deep inside a spy agency. Cat and mouse story of intrigue & deception. Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy & others give strong performances. Discovering the high ranking traitor & the motive proves difficult from within an agency routinely shrouded in deception & secrecy. A lot of intrigue, but the story sometimes drags along without much excitement & was often too confusing & subtle about what exactly was going on.
Rated 10 Nov 2015
Rated 06 Dec 2017
82
84th
Haven't read Le Carre's novel or seen anything else by Alfredson, but I liked this a bit more than my PSI. It's well acted, well shot, and the story kept me interested. I think it could have done a slightly better job of introducing/following some of the characters as it seemed to be a bit confusing at the beginning.
Rated 06 Dec 2017
Rated 23 Feb 2012
65
51st
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.
Rated 23 Feb 2012
Rated 04 Jan 2012
84
65th
The structure isn't perfect, as it takes about half an hour to really get going and transitions between scenes don't always feel motivated. However, the intrigue is built on the quiet but often unsettling tone and a handful of great performances, including the subtle nuance of Gary Oldman and emotional depth of Tom Hardy.
Rated 04 Jan 2012
Rated 14 Feb 2012
90
94th
The antithesis to the Bond franchise, 'Tinker Tailor' is slowly paced but endlessly intriguing and as atmospheric as it gets. With a mise-en-scène 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.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
Rated 27 Jan 2012
54
59th
Something's wrong when you start convincing yourself you need to watch a movie another five or so times because you 'really want to love it' but couldn't the first time around. I can appreciate the performances, cinematography, and un-holywoodness oozing forth from each and every one of this film's dilated pores...unfortunately no amount of literary perspiration could wash away the patina of boredom that remained clung to my soul long after leaving the theater.
Rated 27 Jan 2012
Rated 26 Dec 2011
75
65th
You know what - I get why this film is really, really good. I just couldn't love it as much as I feel it probably deserved - and it's down to the fact that the narrative structure simply didn't rub me the right way. I don't know what to do about that, it might just be my taste. Amazing performances, amazing writing, amazing direction... I'll aim to see this film one more time, because I really want to love it. Will update this review.
Rated 26 Dec 2011
Rated 03 Dec 2011
90
96th
Had to see it twice to fully understand (I hope i did) and appreciate it. An excellent movie made by a true perfectionist. Every scene is precise, every actor well picked and every frame well placed. Oldman at his best, and same goes for Firth and Hurt.
It would be nice if Alfredson's second movie involve all the greatest British actresses (with the main character played by Mirren and also starring Winslett and Mortimer - that would be nice indeed).
Rated 03 Dec 2011
Rated 26 Sep 2019
70
65th
Probably near the top of the versus movies, but that's not saying much. Like Freddy vs. Jason and Alien vs. Predator this is all about waiting to get to the final battle between Tinker Tailor and Soldier Spy.
Rated 26 Sep 2019
Rated 26 Jul 2012
73
71st
Fantastic cast and interesting take on a spy thriller. As many have said, it can be difficult to follow (if you make sure to remember each character's full name the first time it's said, things won't be too bad). But it rewards you if you do. It was a bit slow at times, but the third act moves along really quickly as things heat up.
Rated 26 Jul 2012
Rated 09 Oct 2012
89
96th
This is a no frills espionage thriller, with a dense and murky plot. It is, at times, confusing if you don't dedicate your full attention and read between the lines, but I'll be damned if it's not one of the most rewarding spy movies I've ever seen.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
Rated 30 Mar 2013
81
79th
Huge fan of John Le Carre, and this film was a great adaptation. Gary Oldman is fantastic, and I loved Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch's small roles. It's one of the few films I've ever finished and then turned around and rewatched immediately.
Rated 30 Mar 2013
Rated 11 Dec 2011
90
92nd
In some ways it actually does a better job than the book at telling this excellent little spy story. Performances were fantastic. This fine film makes me wish there were more spy movies that were actually, well, spy movies.
Rated 11 Dec 2011
Rated 30 Mar 2013
80
65th
Rather frantically paced, considering it isn't a marathon of chase scenes like the typical spy thriller. Realistic and atmospheric, with a plot that practically demands a second viewing, as it doesn't wait for you to keep up with it. May rate higher if I rewatch it.
Rated 30 Mar 2013
Rated 01 Sep 2015
75
58th
Great smokey era settings and grainy film work. A substantial portion of England's acting talent wafts about in front of the camera in woollen suits accusing each other of treason. Cumberbatch, notably, keeps getting assigned the gay charact..oh he's from Sherlock.
Rated 01 Sep 2015
Rated 08 Apr 2013
22
64th
Pretty frustrating movie. Characters aren't fully fleshed out and the plot is unnecessarily confusing and also short of completion. 15 more minutes would make it so much better but it tricks you into thinking "Oh wow that was really hard to follow. That must mean its really intelligent and a good movie." Engaging but too thin to be anything more than a typical murder mystery.
Rated 08 Apr 2013
Rated 28 Dec 2011
80
70th
This is something I feel might work better with another viewing. But the only reason this isn't in the 90s is because I had no fucking clue what was going on half the time. The movie introduces way too many characters, without properly explaining who they are, and then just kind of jumps ahead. Labyrinthine is correct, and in a negative way that really damages an otherwise great movie. You're going to need to pay extremely close attention just to know who's who and what's happening.
Rated 28 Dec 2011
Rated 17 Jan 2012
81
71st
Very stylish and well filmed. Great performance from Gary Oldman, but ultimately it was a rather poorly paced film.
Rated 17 Jan 2012
Rated 26 Jan 2012
88
71st
I love that this film has more details than the human brain can possibly catch in a single viewing, and so not only is a second viewing necessary, it's something I'm looking forward to. As it stands, the word that's at the forefront of my mind with regard to this film is craft. Expertly complex with a perfect mood, Alfredson's mark is unique and sublime. A prime example of how you don't need expensive effects to instill fascination or tension.
Rated 26 Jan 2012
Rated 15 Jan 2012
77
62nd
Starts abit too slow. But a good story, and Oldman is very likeable here.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
Rated 02 Feb 2012
80
84th
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.
Rated 02 Feb 2012
Rated 09 Feb 2012
85
85th
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?"
Rated 09 Feb 2012
Rated 08 Jan 2012
78
84th
It was good at what it was trying to be, but what it was trying to be was less than what I was hoping it to be. Can I hold that against it? Overall, phenomenal acting in a good but not great film.
Rated 08 Jan 2012
Rated 19 Jan 2012
80
88th
Extremely slow, but very beautiful spy movie. It's Bourne and Bond without the steroids and in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy there are no cool guys who doesn't look at explosions!. This is probably how the spying business really was. Two-timing and boring. Still, Oldman gives a great performance and the amazing british cast brings it to a higher level, than it probably deserved.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
Rated 21 Dec 2011
70
54th
One of those movies I remember in black and white even though it's in color. Superb acting, but with interesting yet hard to follow complicated story, having quick scene shifts and flashbacks etc. And then you get to the end and you're waiting for them to drop the other shoe.
Rated 21 Dec 2011
Rated 13 Jan 2012
41
12th
I will get a lot of flack for this - but I hated this movie, much the same way I hated the political Oscar bait thriller 'Syriana' a few years back. Conceived with a convoluted and head-spinning plot, this 'thriller' lacks any accessibility for casual moviegoers. The look and talent are here. The atmosphere never misses, but this movie had me convinced that nothing happened over the course of 2 hours, and if something did, it was being kept a secret from all.
Rated 13 Jan 2012
Rated 20 Mar 2012
80
77th
Extraordinary in every sense of the word. This is as much a plot-driven meditative spy drama as it is a character piece on the human condition and the sacrifices some make for their ideals.
Rated 20 Mar 2012
Rated 25 Jan 2015
88
87th
There was so much spy stuff going on if should have been titled Spy Spy Spy Spy. Really my only problem was how obviously Toby Jones was set up to be a red herring. Really couldn't ask for any better tension building the rest of the time though. And it doled out just enough info through flashbacks and what not that we put stuff together at the same rate Smiley did which was just a really great combination of writing and directing to lead us through that.
Rated 25 Jan 2015
Rated 08 Jan 2012
90
90th
A slow moving film that never hand delivers anything to the audience. Pay attention and you will certainly be rewarded. Just keep in mind though that this is a film you will appreciate more as a technical work of art than actually enjoy. At least that's what I took away from it.
Rated 08 Jan 2012
Rated 15 Jan 2012
65
45th
"It was just as much an aesthetic choice" says Colin Firth at one point. Well the same goes for the whole movie. And it was just silly that you had to use half of the movie to figure out which codename fit which person...
Rated 15 Jan 2012
Rated 29 Feb 2016
50
13th
Premise: one of them is a mole. Conclusion: one of them is a mole. Watched it twice to be sure. It's not bad at all, it's just great at doing things I don't respond to. Stylistically flat, desaturated of any vibrancy. Cold War tension is rendered dull and the vague character drama is frustratingly detached and melancholy, all venerated by the caliber of talent involved but not made interesting.
Rated 29 Feb 2016
Rated 22 Dec 2012
75
77th
Ace performances. Stylistically accomplished. But it's ultra-slow.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
Rated 30 Jun 2012
80
58th
A good thriller that presents the main character's isolation from the everything that has structured his life--his family, his colleagues, and his country. The editing is at times strange, inserting disjunctive sequences into the film without any apparent purpose. The cast is uniformly excellent, and the look of the film is appropriately muddled. There are also several shots through windows that heighten the sense of subjectivity inherent in the story.
Rated 30 Jun 2012
Rated 15 Jan 2012
76
59th
Great acting, beautiful cinematography and a decent story with a narration that's a bit too disjointed for it's own good.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
Rated 16 Feb 2012
75
78th
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.
Rated 16 Feb 2012
Rated 22 Feb 2012
65
74th
This was running parallel to being something incredible. It just never got there.
Rated 22 Feb 2012
Rated 18 Oct 2015
80
78th
Oh, I liked it, and I thought it did its plot-tightrope walk adequately, but I got the weird feeling that it resented me for not reading the books and finding out who any of these people were on my own.
Rated 18 Oct 2015
Rated 09 May 2013
80
89th
An intelligent, intriguing spy thriller that I couldn't for-the-life-of-me follow. An online synopsis leads me to believe that the plot is quite intricate and compelling, but more needed to be done to differentiate the characters so that who was doing what where could be kept track of. On a second or third watching, I imagine all of the pieces will come together - something I expect to enjoy very much, since this is the kind of spy story I always wish for when walking away from a Bond film.
Rated 09 May 2013
Rated 08 Mar 2015
75
61st
Moviemakers should realize two things: First, it is not easy to write a screenplay based on a book Second, the viewers can only keep up with intricate cinematography to a certain extend. Although it is a beautifully crafted film, Alfredson seems to miss these points.
Rated 08 Mar 2015
Rated 02 Jan 2012
81
62nd
Tinker Tailor.... is not for the uninitiated. Having read the novel and having watched the TV series that preceded this, I still couldn't shake off the feeling that this film could have been more engaging. But in no manner does it mean this movie is a letdown. Alfredson, with his writers, have done a commendable job condensing the material to around two hours, with Gary Goldman as the glue, who holds it all together. Brilliant craftsmanship, but not the masterpiece that I expected.
Rated 02 Jan 2012
Rated 21 Jan 2012
85
89th
A bit hard to follow at times, but not excessively so. Fantastic set design and cinematography.
Rated 21 Jan 2012
Rated 27 Sep 2013
55
43rd
Sure, the cast is incredible and they all give their best, but what use is that if the material completely fails to connect with the viewer? The story is too dense for a two-hour film and key characters are too under-developed to elicit any kind of emotional reaction. It's a nice looking film, the music adds something, and all the period details are cool, but ultimately I wasn't really drawn in by what was happening on screen.
Rated 27 Sep 2013
Rated 30 Jan 2012
69
21st
For a good half the movie you don't know what the hell is going on. And, honestly, it's hard to care enough to figure it out. Too many meaningful glances, code-talk, implicit double-meanings. There's too much going on and little actual pathos to really engage the audience.
Rated 30 Jan 2012
Rated 03 Aug 2012
65
54th
It's got a really solid cast, it looks fantastic and is very well-shot. However, I couldn't really get into this one. I'm not sure this type of film is for me. The pacing was quite slow, yet I had a little bit of trouble understanding what was going on some of the time. It did have some really cool moments though, and I really liked the final sequence. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from seeing this, but I don't think it's for everyone.
Rated 03 Aug 2012
Rated 08 Jan 2012
8
79th
Classy production of a le Carré international espionage source, told in the expected fractured soft-spoken fashion; directed, written and edited in such a way that any sense of drama or thrill is completely smothered.
Rated 08 Jan 2012
Rated 01 Oct 2012
88
93rd
A spy movie where no one gets blown up? What the hell is this? The best spy movie I've ever seen--real style, beautiful, moody cinematography, good editing, excellent, understated performances, intelligent writing, even a decent score (and as a musician I'm annoyed by movie scores more often than not). A suspense movie for thinking people: be prepared to do some.
Rated 01 Oct 2012
Rated 19 Jan 2012
30
12th
Jumps in time, a quickness of pace, plot twists, a wide cast of characters, and esoteric jibber-jabber all serve to add complexity - and intelligence, allegedly - to a movie that 30 minutes in had me so lost I could no longer be bothered to care (,though I tried.)
Rated 19 Jan 2012
Rated 05 May 2015
74
61st
Perhaps the film was built up to an unholy degree on the pedigree so clearly on display, but the proceedings left me wanting for just that reason. The details are a little too clearly placed; the minutest facial contortions built up and captured in close ups; the labyrinthine political landscape is only seemingly so. This is a straightforward slow-burn drama masquerading as a complex meditative spy thriller, and I get the hype only to a point.
Rated 05 May 2015
Rated 21 Mar 2014
78
73rd
quite slow in starting, although it does dive straight into the intrigue. had trouble with exactly what was going on for much of the beginning, but it pieces itself together quite well. it builds for a very good second half and a fantastic climax. there are no weak actors in this film, either, a massively impressive cast.
Rated 21 Mar 2014
Rated 05 Jan 2012
78
74th
I am slightly disappointed that the storyline was trimmed so ruthlessly in the aim of fitting the original story into an 2 hour film, as some of my most-loved scene were altered or omitted. The cast, however, are excellent and absolutely fitting to the characters they play. The cinematography is stunning and well-matched to the atmosphere for each scene. The music used also added the heavy intensity of mood of each character.
Rated 05 Jan 2012
Rated 23 Oct 2015
3
3rd
Sinfully boring, but may appeal to the more intellectual type.
Rated 23 Oct 2015
Rated 20 Mar 2012
70
79th
A good script and terrific cast help keep this slow moving thriller going.
Rated 20 Mar 2012
Rated 02 Nov 2013
79
72nd
I love the understated brilliance of Gary Oldman, and the magnificent cast of supporting players, but really it fell in an unhappy ground between being a stripped down, rip-roaring ride of an espionage thriller and a brooding, sprawling, intricate miniseries. So sort of dissapointing on both counts, but still really rather good.
Rated 02 Nov 2013
Rated 04 Feb 2012
68
30th
Looking forward to be rewatching this as I love the style and athmosphere but feel like a great lot went over my head.
Rated 04 Feb 2012
Rated 07 Feb 2012
60
62nd
what i understood was good, acting was great, but i was lost a few times
Rated 07 Feb 2012
Rated 21 Jan 2012
9
81st
The slowness might discourage some from getting into it at first, but keep at it. An absolutely fantastic cast with some great Cold War era intrigue.
Rated 21 Jan 2012
Rated 13 Jan 2012
85
92nd
A minimalistic, noir approach to espionage that really works. Through the art direction and cinematography, the film shows instead of telling, commanding your attention as you try to keep up with an array of decidedly dubious characters.
Rated 13 Jan 2012
Rated 26 May 2012
87
97th
Mole hunting in slow motion, with the most stunning visual precision I've seen in years.
Rated 26 May 2012
Rated 22 Aug 2015
78
64th
A fine film, well shot, good cast, great production. For me it has some issues with exposition in the final act; I'm no stranger to complex narratives, but I did find it increasingly difficult to follow the plot threads as it continued. The film didn't really do a good job of tying them together before the conclusion, which unfortunately meant the emotional pay off was lost. I can't help but imagine this would have played better as a tv mini series (cf. The Americans). Still, a good film.
Rated 22 Aug 2015
Rated 20 May 2012
35
76th
There are sequences of such tension, such paranoia, that though director Alfredson's observational approach can be perceived as tedious, you are teetering on the very edge of your seat. You're constantly moving from one suspect to another, and the marvelous script keeps your mind chugging along behind it while allowing brief respites for your mind to catch up.
Rated 20 May 2012
Rated 16 Feb 2012
85
88th
Alfredson's mark is unique and very stylish, like John Le Carre. Once again Le Carre to beat Bond and Bourne.
Rated 16 Feb 2012
Rated 12 Jan 2012
80
85th
very well acted with a good atmosphere (not least because of the excellent music) though the ending was a bit of an anti-climax with little tension and, while a good story, it was told in an overly convoluted manner with a bunch of strands with too little information cluttering the main narrative
Rated 12 Jan 2012
Rated 28 Aug 2012
85
44th
i would have benefitted from reading the book first, especially with the ending, but all in all this spy yarn was quite well done.....
Rated 28 Aug 2012
Rated 22 Sep 2011
79
78th
Great atmosphere and period detail, but the storytelling in this labyrinthine film is somewhat murky at times. Perhaps it was meant to be.
Rated 22 Sep 2011
Rated 26 Apr 2012
70
49th
At times it's unnecessarily dense, but at least the story is understandable enough to comprehend the stakes by the end. At the least it's held up by a trove of great actors young & old. The problem is that the script is cripplingly restrictive in its language, needing to relay a lot of information in very little time and quite often losing any semblance of organic delivery. It's got some nice imagery of various European locations, and there are a couple scenes with some truly palpable tension.
Rated 26 Apr 2012
Rated 01 Jul 2012
80
75th
Intelligent, exciting and a film that really keeps you guessing until the end, without any of the bogus "twists" which most spy movies are so dependent on. It was a little confusing, though, with a lot of backflashes... I wanted to re-watch it, immediately after finishing to make sure I got everything.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
Rated 13 Jan 2012
75
80th
Smartly crafted as a chilly piece of Cold War drama, Alfredson's spy film is precisely distant and bleakly narrated in every shot and dialogue: it might get a bit tricky to figure who's lying to who or all the mysteries as they are presented on the screen, but this paranoid investigation is certainly rewarding and engaging until the very end.
Rated 13 Jan 2012
Rated 20 Feb 2012
70
69th
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.
Rated 20 Feb 2012
Rated 02 Jan 2013
86
87th
A movie based on a complex book that is actually comprehensible without being overly dumbed down. I am impressed. Some of the deviations from the book don't make much sense, though.
Rated 02 Jan 2013
Rated 25 Sep 2011
80
65th
Beuaitfully shot and acted, but feels like it needed more time to tell the story properly.
Rated 25 Sep 2011
Rated 08 Jan 2012
89
84th
Really great acting, good visuals and awesome tension-building. The story itself is multi-layered which makes it a bit hard to follow at times and I have to admit I had a few "What the f*** is going on now?!!" moments. Brilliant movie overall, however the end twist does not do justice to the previous buildup.
Rated 08 Jan 2012
Rated 10 Dec 2011
35
90th
"While Tomas Alfredson's film is rich in ambiguity and a generalized sense of apprehension, it almost entirely avoids that spy-movie staple: the explosive set piece." - Andrew Schenker
Rated 10 Dec 2011
Rated 20 Feb 2013
89
62nd
I watched it on a plane, so I will be honest that my attention was kinda divided between the movie and exhaustion. But I did like it. It dragged in some places, but overall was very good.
Rated 20 Feb 2013
Rated 28 Sep 2015
72
67th
Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy ve Benedict Cumberbatch var filmde ne yazayım ben buraya şimdi. O değil de İstanbul'u o filmlerde gösterilmesine alıştığımız şekilde yansıtmamışlar şaşırdım açıkcası...
Rated 28 Sep 2015
Rated 05 Jun 2013
60
47th
http://gorgview.com/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy
Rated 05 Jun 2013
Rated 22 Jan 2012
89
81st
Occasionally murky and convoluted but overall impressive spy yarn, aided immeasurably by a gallery of fine British actors at the top of their game (starting with Oldman's uncanny imitation of Alec Guinness). Beautifully shot and perfectly captures the seedy atmosphere of international espionage. I'm confident a second viewing will clear up the apparent incoherencies in the screenplay.
Rated 22 Jan 2012
Rated 09 Jan 2012
75
67th
A solid thriller that's a nice change of pace in that it relies more on story telling and intricate plot lines instead of action. The acting is about as good as you could want and despite the heavy plot it isn't too hard to follow as long as you are paying attention. This is one that's not to be missed.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
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