Tinkered the Tailor

Once upon a time there was Tinker, a tailor, a soldier and a severe looking, ironically named Smiley Spy. And they made up an exciting, meaty story. The husband and I caught up with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy--the much talked about film which was released this weekend. All great movies come from greater novels and this is certainly no different. But just because it is an "adaptation" it is doesn't leave anything to chance in the intelligence department. Honestly speaking, the cerebral story would need a view or two from yours truly to really grip its many eyebrow raising moments. But nevertheless the film kept my attention span intact; long enough for me to write about it.

Watching the film is very much akin to getting lost in a dark, challenging labyrinth. And the compulsion to be glued to every little scene imploding on the screen starts from the very first scene; its a spy movie alright but not in the league to Ian Flemming's James Bond but the spy here is very real who makes for a chilling investigator demanding every bit of your attention and cerebral function.Tomas Alfredson's spy Smiley played wonderfully by Gary Oldman is a strict looking, barely smiling and ice-cold guy on the throes of retiring from the British intelligence services, MI 6 or the Circus. But just when he is about to hang his boots he is summoned to sort out a mole who was busy siphoning off secrets to the Russians while serving the Queen. And as the camera takes us through the smoke filled, power corridors of the circus, we see Smiley and his lieutenant Peter Guliam, doing what they do best--secretly spying on the circus itself. And as five likely candidates are narrowed down Smiley has to weed out sly confessions,analyze closely these suspects who are his own former colleagues.

The biggest hero of the movie is the nail biting story itself but even then the actors will be remembered for their roles. There is a wonderfully eager if slightly nervous Benedict Cumberbatch, a suave and arrogant Colin Firth, a bullish Tom Hardy and the grand daddy of them all Gary Oldman who steals the show. He is extremely reserved and layered, tactful and like a patient bird hunter who unsuspectingly and unexpectedly tortures his prey. I have seen this wonderful actor only in Harry Potter series as Harry's lovable godfather, a very limited role for his wonderful talent. And in this movie he completely blows your mind off.

And as the movie goes on you are also visually teased by showing the 70s London. Its more grey than anything else. But don't let that slouch you down because its one heck of an intelligent cinema which will only make sense if you use your grey cells.
As for me I am just heading for the library to get a copy of the book and to know more about the spy who made me think.