Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” stars Gary Oldman and Colin Firth in this UK French joint venture based on the best selling novel of the same name.by John LeCarre. This is a text book example of what can happen when producers attempt to depict on the screen the essence of a well written novel with religious adherence to the plot but without enough film or time to do it as well as the written word. Taking place in the midst of the cold war in 1973 this film is uncomfortable to watch and the 2 hours and 7 minutes of its duration seems more like a lifetime. Torture techniques are discussed in the film but I suggest that subjecting a prisoner to a viewing of the film will elicit more information from him than waterboarding, for instance, ever could. Co-written by Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan and Mr. LeCarre and directed by Tomas Alfredson, there is plenty of blame for each of them to share in creating this less than worthy piece of work. A director can do very little with a script that is confusing and seemingly endless and that is what Mr. Alfredson apparently had to deal with in order to bring about this boring and tedious endeavor. I went to the film aware that some very respected critics in some highly regarded papers and periodicals raved about the film and, consistent with that, my expectations were quite high. Unfortunately my viewing experience was not pleasurable at all nor did the movie in any way involve me in the plot, the characters or the story itself. I give this film 1 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that it be avoided when making your next theatrical selection (unless, of course, you are looking for a 127 minute nap).