Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Reviews

A masterful adaption of John Le Carre's 1970s spy thriller about the secret British hunt for a high-ranking KGB mole.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

For all those that look at the films of the golden age and chide that "they don't make them that way anymore", here's a fine example that a film can be fresh, intelligent, drawing from the past while carving out its own unique and very contemporary vision

Full Review | Original Score: A+

Majestically directed, masterfully acted and brilliantly written, it's not just the best British film of the year but the best film of the year - full stop.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

It's of massive benefit ... to have many of the best British actors carrying this dense, convoluted plot through its many twists and knots.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

From watching the film, it ends up feeling like maybe reading the book should be a prerequisite, or perhaps viewing the five-hour miniseries would be a good idea.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

A very gripping, brilliantly directed character driven genre film, with top class performances from a flawless ensemble cast headed by a perfect performance from Gary Oldman.

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10

Alfredson's marvelous precision in showing how an agent might do difficult espionage work is as thrilling as any overblown James Bond setpiece.

Full Review | Original Score: A-

an ultra-realistic view of the spy game

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

With its hushed and methodical approach - similar to that of Smiley himself - the movie rolls on toward its big reveal with workmanlike exactitude.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

The film has intrigues, shootings, infidelities and clues -- lots of clues -- which we ponder, along with the poker-faced Smiley, played with Oscar-nominated perfection by Gary Oldman.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4

unfolds with maximum perplexity, ensuring that we will never, despite being able to grasp the stakes and gravity of individual scenes, be sure exactly what is going on.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

Outstanding performances and fascinating visual design are somewhat marred by a slow pace and a dry narrative.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy can assert a serious claim to be the best espionage film ever made.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

like watching a large candle burn down to nothing and then wondering why there weren't any fireworks. Maybe I was expecting too much? Considering the cast and the subject matter it may be a case of too much of a good thing

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

No es una película "agradable" ni "entretenida"; es una película incómoda y cerebral apenas perturbada por pequeñas alteraciones en sus personajes. Como las de George Smiley, en la brillante composición de Gary Oldman.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

full review at Movies for the Masses

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

There has always been this ultra-cool tendency in British spy movies, but I don't ever remember seeing one this emotionless. There probably have been some, but few have combined emotional detachment with such technical mastery of filmmaking techniques.

Full Review | Original Score: C

With its austere atmosphere, glacial pace and longwinded plot, it's not a film for everyone.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Alfredson maintains an admirable lightness of touch, and the performances are fine, but narrative cohesion was the first victim of the cross-over and structurally the plot flies helter-skelter.

Full Review

Intelligent Tinker rewards patience.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4.0