Complex, atmospheric, intriguing, somber

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2013)

In seventies England, the Circus, the nickname for the British Intelligence Agency, has taken a hit. In Hungary, a top official was to give some important information to the Limies. But, something went wrong and folks ended up dead. Therefore, the leader, Control (John Hurt) is asked to step down and so is his right hand man, George Smiley (Gary Oldman). However, it becomes apparent that they were wrongly blamed for another government official suspects a "mole", a double agent. On the sly, this man comes to the retired Smiley and asks him to re-enter the Curcus quietly, to seek out this traitor. At first, Smiley is very reluctant, for his dismissal stung. Yet, he agrees to do it. Traveling from Hungary to Russia to other venues closer to home, Smiley learns how to untangle a very elaborate web of deceit. Along the way, George hears of lovely Russian ladies who risked their lives to help, logs that have pages ripped out, and former spies hiding in plain sight as school teachers. Can he do so before other lives are lost? This film is a quietly impressive work but, it is so complex that one would need to view it multiple times. The cast is a large asset, with Oldman leading the way indeed. Colin Firth, Hurt, Toby Jones, Ciaran hinds, and many others give great performances, too. Also, the movie has an atmospheric quality that has to been seen to be appreciated. It re-creates the seventies well and shows that most agents try to stay as "invisible" in their jobs to the point of blandness until a crisis occurs. Yes, there are various settings, too, but sometimes these are not the best the countries featured have to offer. Most importantly, the story is worthy of much praise, in its twists, turns, and revelations. An ending scene, where an agent is gunned down silently, is most sensational. One must honor the director, too, for taking a difficult book and bringing it to life. All in all, here is a film for those who aren't afraid to watch a tale that has hidden depths.