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Movies are terrific when they reward their audiences. That's exactly what "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" does. Based on John Le Carre's seminal spy novel, the film plays out like a chess game with twists around every corner and a killer blow at the end.
The movie only appears to move slowly, but don't be fooled - step out for popcorn or a bathroom break and you'll be lost.
Set during the Cold War, word comes that there's a Russian mole at the top of British Intelligence. Freshly dismissed from the service, veteran spy George Smiley, played by Gary Oldman, is recruited by the government to investigate his old co-workers.
The film's title, partly based on a nursery rhyme, refers here to code names of the suspects.
Smiley sets about learning who the traitor is, and setting a trap to catch them. Oldman gives an amazingly spare and contained performance where a glance or raised eye-brow says more than any dialogue could.
I also love Benedict Cumberbatch as Oldman's right-hand man, but the cast is loaded with terrific actors giving strong performances. I only wish some of the characters and relationships were fleshed out a bit more.
Director Tomas Alfredson, who worked wonders with "Let the Right One In," navigates this winding tale deftly.
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" may not have the spy movie flash of say, "Mission: Impossible," but it's every bit as engrossing and surprising and in a much more interesting way.
RATING: * * * * 1/2
Out of five stars.
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