Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15) ****

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15) ****

Dir: Tomas Alfredson

Starring: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch.

Synopsis: 1973. The cold war is in full swing, and an espionage battle is raging between the Soviet Union, and Britain and America. MI6 finds out there is a mole in their ranks, and bring George Smiley (Oldman), a retired veteran, to uncover the double agent.

Verdict: This is one of those films that is a marmite film. you either like it, or you dont. True, all films are marmite films, but this is one of those serious films that doesn't use action, romance or comedy to grab you, but uses its ability to make you think, wonder, and look at it in a lot of detail to try and figure it all out.

With its all star cast this film, it seems, is destined for great things. Based on the novel by John le Carre, originally turned into a series by the BBC and now a feature film, the story tackles the very real threat that could have happened during the days of the cold war. A mole in the British intelligence.

The cast is perfect for this film. Each actor delivers a great performance, but particular credit must be given to Oldman, Cumberbatch and Hardy. To be honest, the whole cast is very deserving, making me - someone who has neither read the book or seen the original series - keep second guessing who is the guilty party in the plot. This is the key to this film - it is so clever in its story (thanks to le Carre) and its delivery (thanks to Alfredson and the cast) that you constantly think: 'It's him... Or maybe him'.

This cleverness in the plot is reflected in the filming of the movie. I found myself going back to the days of films studies - examining mise en scene, lighting, and noticing certain choices that, while I still do this things, I found myself doing more for this film than others (albeit to try and find clues). I particularly liked the metaphor of a signal change and train junction clicking into place as Oldman's Smiley figured everything out.

This cleverness is balanced by a level of violence that is quite impressive, even by todays standards. There is an impressive splatter in the middle of the film (including chunks of brain and bone sliding down a wall), and a brilliant kill-shot effect at the end of the film.

While not to everyone's taste, this film is sure to do well - both at the box office and when awards season comes around. Like The Kings Speech, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy goes to prove that simple and clever films are just as good, if not better, than the big budget all action, all comedy, all lovey dovey movies that Hollywood releases.