Disappointingly Dull

Rating: 4/10 (20 September 2011)

Unfortunately, I disagree with most of the critic's reviews and comments about this, woefully dull, film.
I cannot take anything away from the composition of the movie, the direction is very languid but excellent. The look and feel is outstanding ... it's beautifully shot. The acting is very, very good from a stellar cast.
The let down in this whole project is the screenplay. Gary Oldman doesn't utter a word for (something like) ten minutes at the beginning of the film, despite being in nearly every scene. It felt rather cringe worthy at points, watching him stare into the middle distance and then sullenly raising an eyebrow; as if this would suffice instead of conversation. It doesn't.
I was very disappointed in the general pace and tone of the entire piece, ambling from scene to scene. Never really acceding to anything or making a solid point. I like to be challenged by a film and like to have to muse over the sub-plots but in Tinker, tailor, Soldier Spy, I felt neither challenged nor had to think too hard to realize that all I wanted to do was have a snooze.
It's a real shame. As I mentioned above, it really looks the part but needed much more (controlled) pace and punch to the script.
Gary Oldman can really stare into space like a pro though ...