Diverting but a case of image over substance.

Rating: 6/10 (10 February 2012)

I went to see this at a local cinema but noisy neighbours ruined my enjoyment. I left after 15 minutes, albeit with a ready refund. What I saw looked good and there was a thrilling assignation that went wrong. I awaited the DVD release with anticipation.
I am a big fan of Oldman. I've seen all his films and enjoyed most. This is the first one where his participation disappointed me. He was deadpan and mumbling all the way through. There was no character development, no revelation. There are only so many meaningful looks you can take. The one time he seemed to liven up, when recounting an interview with a Russian master spy, it was full of pauses. His expression was one of an Essex botox addict. A shame as it was a waste of talent.
The rest of the crew, mostly major British actors at the peak of their form, in the case of Cumberpatch on the way up but so fast, did their bit and were everything one would expect. But the film itself failed to deliver.
It's saving grace was that you had to concentrate to get the full story. The timelines intermixed confusingly and the triggers as to which were which were not always apparent instantly. This might have been deliberate, if so it was not a good idea. At the end one felt that it had been an effort to watch.
Visually it was very good, the seedy interiors and the depressing exteriors reflecting what is such a seedy and depressing profession. Further, the suspicion that most of us must have is that MI5 and 6 are self serving and this film ran with that. So nothing surprising.
A movie is much more than just moving pictures. The script, which must have taken two people to carry, was good enough but the film didn't engage. There were no lovable characters, none to sympathise with, and certainly no one to envy. It was all very depressing. Even the bits that could have been edge of the seat stuff, like Cumberpatch virtually breaking into MI6 HQ, were very low key. The only exciting bit was right at the start and I had already seen that.
The real test of a film is if you want to see it again and I have to say one that Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is unlikely to pass.
Worth watching but do not expect to be overwhelmed.