Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), 127minutes
Dir. Tomas Alfredson. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Colin Firth

A man betrayed, shot in the back on a top-secret mission abroad. But who is the mole responsible for this intelligence leak?

Dive into the thick of it in this Cold War espionage thriller with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. With its dense plot and the spy shorthand, Tinker may not be the easiest film to follow but your steady attention will be more than well-rewarded.

Film stills from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Gary Oldman plays George Smiley, the old-hand in this spy game. To uncover the truth behind a failed mission, Smiley steps out of semi-retirement and returns to the “Circus”, the centre of the British secret service.

The infinitely watchable Oldman conveys Smiley’s quiet intensity in an artfully understated performance. Ever calm and unfazed in this film, this is one spy who deals deftly and methodically with his opponents; in his presence, adversaries will find that even a silent interval can become unbearably tense.

His younger colleagues, on the other hand, struggle to keep their cool. The brash Ricki Tarr — played by Tom Hardy — already wants out; he thinks he’s found a more worthy cause than his occupation. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Peter Guillam however, chooses to stay involved with the investigation but at a price. Behind closed doors, his aloof veneer cracks, with no consolation in sight.

(L-R): Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
All images: Shaw Theatres

Adapted from John le Carré’s novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has none of the dramatic chase scenes common in a Bond film.

What makes it so compelling is its demand for your active engagement with many plot twists and turns throughout its 127 minute duration. The viewers’ attempts at tracking this web of intrigue almost mirror Smiley’s labyrinthine search for the double agent.

Admittedly, this does make the film a challenging one to watch, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the book. Scenes are filled with pregnant pauses while fateful encounters are recounted in hushed tones, in between their slow drags of cigarettes.

London, in this film, is clad in dreary dark shades, just the right setting to represent that climate of suspicion. There is no idle chatter; no one lingers on these streets.

In the end, all the pieces fall neatly into place in a stunning conclusion, though viewers with a keener eye will have discovered the traitorous spy far ahead of the denouement.

Even then, it’s still a satisfying resolution. Spotting these “clues” and cues along the way just makes your viewing a more enjoyable experience. After all, it’s precisely the fine details like these that string this Cold War film into a well-composed cinematic symphony.

Verdict: 4 / 5. An intellectual spy movie with stellar acting from a smartly-suited group.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy premieres February 9 at Shaw Theatres.