Fair Comparison?

Rating: 8/10 (31 March 2012)

Comparing this film version to the 1979 TV series with Sir Alec Guiness as George Smiley may not be appropriate but it is inevitable for anyone who has seen the earlier rendition of John Le Carre's classic spy novel. Unfortunately for the movie, it isn't playing in the same league with the series. Gary Oldman is quite good as George Smiley; Alec Guiness was superb. The film, being far shorter than the series, covers the complicated story in a much more compressed fashion. Le Carre is well known for concealing outcomes as the plot develops and for creating characters with morally ambiguous motivations. In compressing the plot, the movie is occasionally confusing and the confusion is amplified by dark lighting in many scenes, leaving the viewer wondering at times what's happening and to which characters. By all means, anyone who loves Le Carre's novels needs to view the series.
Having said this, the movie is nonetheless pretty good. Oldman can't touch Guiness but he's more than competent as Smiley. Colin Firth as Bill Haydon competes quite well with Ian Richardson who played that part in the series. John Hurt, with his lined visage, inhabits the role of Control and Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, David Dencek, Kathy Burke, Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch all acquit themselves quite well. Despite occasional confusion, the story line comes through and tension is nicely maintained even if you already know the identity of the mole the Soviets have planted at the top of the Circus. Too bad there isn't enough room for more thorough character development, but the medium in this case conceals the message.
I gave the series 10/10 and the movie 8/10 which is still a strong ranking.