Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Now, I don’t think I’d be doing myself a disservice if I were to admit that this film thoroughly confused me. I like to consider myself reasonably competent at following a plot, but I found myself feeling exceptionally stupid as I stumbled through this film, more than once having to pause the DVD with a “hang on, what!?”. Maybe it would have been easier to follow in a cinema where nearly all of your concentration is on the film. You just can’t achieve those same conditions at home; especially after a day at work, especially with a glass of wine in hand. In the end it became a joint effort, with the additional occasional use of Wikipedia for clarification.

Being able to follow a storyline as it is told to you will not get you very far with this film. You are not told the story. What you are told are a few key facts, supplemented by visual clues. Plot is revealed by the putting on of a shoe, or a drink of vodka. You are left to fill in the gaps. And woe betide you if you don’t learn the names of the characters immediately.

Feeling really rather baffled throughout did not though, spoil the film for me. The cinematography is wonderful and the acting fully deserving of the umpteen award nominations. There are also several images that will stay with me for a while, for better or worse (Benedict Cumberbatch I’m looking at you).

It could do with being a bit longer. At less than two hours there’s room for better explanation of some of the twists and turns and expansion of a few of the scenes. A few fewer meaningful looks and a little more conversation between characters to give us an extra half hour and a little more comprehension.

I look forward to watching it again armed with a firmer grasp of the key characters and concepts. I might then be able to appreciate it fully for it certainly is a fantastic film.

4 Stars