Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Released: 16th September 2011
Director: Thomas Alfredson
This man is not Alec Guinness. Not only is THIS man not Alec Guinness, none of the men in this film are Alec Guinness. Alec Guinness is SO not in this film, by rights it should be the worst film ever made.

Right?

No of course you're right I should take my ill thought out opinion and leave immediately. So what if Alec bloody Guinness made a brilliant version for the BBC that everyone should go and rent/watch/download. This version is bloody brilliant too. Better if you count not taking SIX HOURS to watch the whole thing as a bonus.

Set in a frightened Cold War Britain, the story tells of a mole in "The Circus" (read: Spys 'R Us) and Commissioner Gordon has been tasked with working out it's identity. It's beautifully shot, I mean BEAUTIFULLY. The film looks great, I saw it digitally projected, which might spoil it for some people, but it looked bloody fantastic. For me, all the details were spot on, the cars, the hats, the briefcases and Benedict Cumberbatch's flares. Nice work. I don't know very much about Cold War history, but I have learnt from this film that it was scary and I'm glad I wasn't there. The dialog is pitch perfect with some really brilliant performances (Standouts: Gazza Oldman and Tombalina Hardy) Since the whole point of the film is working out who the mole is, I'm loathe to give it away, so skip the crib sheet if you really don't want to know, or plan on seeing this film in the future. My one critique of the film is that you don't get alot of time to get to know the characters, there isn't a whole lot to latch onto when it comes to emotional depth.

Here's your crib sheet:
Best Bit: Sirius Black, poncing about in his socks carrying a gun. Or the bit where the plane nearly runs the NOT MOLE over.
Worst Bit: The confusing "Christmas Party" flashbacks took a bit of getting used to. (that sounds like a punchline, it is not)
Say This: A really atmospheric movie, it had me gripped from start to finish. I knew it was Mr. Darcy from the start.
Don't Ask: Why did the fat kid give the dead spy a cheeseboard?