Generally dull with a couple of standout/exciting moments. *SPOILERS*

Rating: 4/10 (16 September 2011)

I caught an early screening of this recently and I have no real opinion either way as to whether I enjoyed this film or not. Let me start by saying that the cinematography, art direction, sets, costumes and little details are fantastic and no doubt the relevant departments will be honoured for those come the awards season.
The film itself - the tone is very dull and bleak from the start (recent films such as 'The Ghost Writer' and 'Let the Right one in' are similar in look/feel). The plot is generally easy to follow for three quarters of the film however when it comes to the big reveal at the end as to who the mole actually is, I felt both disappointed and underwhelmed. The conclusion to the film is quite convoluted and I still cannot fathom as to how the 'mole' was revealed.
Gary Oldman plays Smiley well and should get an Oscar nod. Other standout performances are from Mark Strong as 'Jim Predaux' and Toby Jones as 'Percy Alleline'.
The film was quite dull and non-entertaining for the majority. There were a couple of standout moments that both shocked and were watchable. The scene where Tom Hardy's love interest (I cannot recall her name or character's name) is shot dead in front of Mark Strong's character whilst being interrogated is truly shocking as is Colin Firth's character's demise.
All in all, I wouldn't see this film again and if the roles were not filled by 'name' actors such as Gary Oldman and Colin Firth who give standout performances, I definitely would not have seen this nor recommend it to anyone else.
I would avoid this unless you have a specific interest in any of the actors, John Le Carre or the original series.