Absolute 10

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2012)

Just in case anyone wondered if I EVER gave out tens (which I know you wont), THIS is one of those tens.
My dad was a smoker and in his bedroom there was a matching yellow turtle shell wardrobe and headboard. When you walked into his bedroom, there was a heavy smell of stale cigarette tobacco, in the wardrobe draw an expensive but plain watch, ties and lighter. He was a man of a certain era. 60's. Men where men.
This movie conveys that foreboding "school discipline" type menace of years gone by better than any movie I have ever watched. A time just before Britain was about to shed its cold war skin.
The performances are outstanding, the script is outstanding, the visuals are outstanding. There is NOTHING about this movie I didn't love. You are drowned in an engrossing story from the very start and are treated to some of the best British acting performances you are every likely to see again on screen.
Even if you think you may not like this kind of movie, you shouldn't miss it for the world. It may not be Batman, Ironman, Alien (yes I'm looking at you, cause I also like those kinds of movies), but ANYONE who enjoys "movies" should see this film.
It's an absolute classic. Every performance is AMAZING but none more so than Gary Oldman - George Smiley - he completely dotted the "i".