Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: whoopee! - tinear - Films/DVD Asylum

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: whoopee!

4.254.157.20

This superbly acted ensemble piece finds Guiness at his minimalist best (could Bill Murray have studied his underacting?) leading an investigation into the identity of a mole planted by the sinister Communist mastermind "Karla."
As in the similarly well-done "Smiley's People," TTSS is shot on location, and there are many. Lisbon and its environs especially are well-filmed.
The story is a bit slow in unfolding, but you won't mind: the suspence of the chase, complexity of the web of deceit, and understated (hence realistic, compared to Hollywood bombast) dialogue keeps your attention... and then some.
I have only one small quibble: several actors adapted Smiley's habit of letting the character speaking to them ask a question, failing to answer or acknowledge, and letting the "conversation" continue. Since this is rare in both real life and film, I assume it's either the director's direction or a conscious mimicking of Guiness's style by the other actors. It is a bit "off-putting," as the Brits would say.
Unlike some here, I wouldn't place it above "Smiley's People." I found the quality of both quite comparable. In fact, the "son" of the "General" in SP I found a bit irritating: his false Russian accent was WAY over the top--- and his wife's anger seemed falsely contrived, as well.
If you have suffered through a James Bond vehicle over the past 20 years, or so, do yourself a favor and watch these: they are the antidote.

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Topic - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: whoopee! - tinear 06:02:59 09/11/05 (16)

Re: And.... Lost in Translation--------- - patrickU 07:10:02 09/11/05 (15)

With all the Billy-bashing here I am scared to agree with your assessment: - tinear 08:55:59 09/11/05 (14)

Re: DonÂ´t be scare my seals boy------- - patrickU 10:17:37 09/11/05 (0)

Re: I liked the way Jack Lemmon aged... - Jeff Starrs 09:21:32 09/11/05 (12)

Maybe it's a personal thing... but I've always disliked Lemmon. - tinear 12:14:05 09/11/05 (11)

I loved Jack Lemmon.... - TWB 20:25:57 09/14/05 (0)

Re: "Don't apologise - sign o' weakness..." - Jeff Starrs 12:21:26 09/11/05 (9)

Yer right, pilgrim. nt - tinear 17:35:26 09/11/05 (8)

Re: No Jeff is wrong. - patrickU 04:51:36 09/12/05 (7)

Re: Huh?. - Jeff Starrs 08:06:06 09/12/05 (6)

Re: Huh?. - patrickU 08:13:51 09/12/05 (5)

Re: Bon... - Jeff Starrs 08:46:37 09/12/05 (4)

Re: Bon... - patrickU 09:29:45 09/12/05 (3)

Re: Can you... - Jeff Starrs 09:38:24 09/12/05 (2)

Re: Can you... - patrickU 10:12:59 09/12/05 (1)

Re: If it was... - Jeff Starrs 11:05:00 09/12/05 (0)

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