Review of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) by Russell G — 10 Nov 2012

I expected a methodical mystery that would keep you guessing and unfold slowly, but I never expected it to move this slowly. This is a boring movie, despite what should have been an interesting set of situations.

I liked the charm of the mid-century 1960s setting but the director's overuse of gloomy grays and blacks give it an incredibly somber appearance throughout the movie. The glum tones along with the mumbling monotone conversations make it hard to follow, much less stay awake.

There is too much dull and wasted footage of people walking around, with musical interludes, and zooming camera effects on someone thinking. This was a complete waste of Gary Oldman's talents. For an accomplished actor who has created such a broad range of rich characters, playing a mumbling chain-smoking grump who quietly stares into the distance all of the time is so flat almost anyone could have done it.

There is content here but it is so boring it becomes hard to follow.