Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

[David]

I always struggle to get into a film when there's no effort to understand character motivations. I think it takes more than a complicated narrative to make a good story - it needs characters that matter. The Wire's a good example of managing both, albeit not a film. But writing a complicated story does not make great work, managing to write characters that you care about within that story is - and that's what makes a smart film in my opinion I can agree that stylistically it was very interesting, just felt let down by never understanding what drove the characters.

[ejwrank]

I'm sorry, but I didn't see it as disparaging at all. Very few films require much of the viewer. TTSS is far more challenging than your typical fare. Yes, if it was 30 minutes longer there could have been more time dedicated to making it clearer who is who. As it stands, it's possible but this is a film that works best with an audience that is quite into it. I truly thought The Sparrow's observation was spot on because TTSS is definitely stylistically different from the majority what I see.

It's just the way you said it, sf. Yes, it was disparaging and unnecessary -- but of course that is just my opinion. Maybe we could all respect one another's opinions and not feel quite so superior.

[soonforgotten]

I'm sorry, but I didn't see it as disparaging at all. Very few films require much of the viewer. TTSS is far more challenging than your typical fare. Yes, if it was 30 minutes longer there could have been more time dedicated to making it clearer who is who. As it stands, it's possible but this is a film that works best with an audience that is quite into it. I truly thought The Sparrow's observation was spot on because TTSS is definitely stylistically different from the majority what I see.

It's just the way you said it, sf. Yes, it was disparaging and unnecessary -- but of course that is just my opinion. Maybe we could all respect one another's opinions and not feel quite so superior.

The way that I said I agreed with the sentiment. Uhhh, okay then.

As for feeling superior, you're the one jumping to conclusions here and apprently attributing the original comment to me. The way I read The Sparrow's comment, it was a remark on the film, not the person who was offended by it. I agreed with the point I felt was being made about the film. I think a lot of people went into this expecting something more in line with what Hollywood has conditioned its audience for. Lacking that many will feel this is dull and possibly lose focus/interest in it. Due to the way this film is structured, such breaks in focus on the film will lead to the viewer getting lost. That's my opinion and it's not slamming the viewer or the movie, it's about what expectations are going in and what has become the norm for such films these days- car chases, shootouts, jumping out of a crashing plane, etc. TTSS is anything but that norm and it may well be poorly received by viewers because of that.

[a_person]

I always struggle to get into a film when there's no effort to understand character motivations. I think it takes more than a complicated narrative to make a good story - it needs characters that matter. The Wire's a good example of managing both, albeit not a film. But writing a complicated story does not make great work, managing to write characters that you care about within that story is - and that's what makes a smart film in my opinion I can agree that stylistically it was very interesting, just felt let down by never understanding what drove the characters.

I really look forward to reading your review for TTTS on your blog, David. I would love to see your in-depth analysis as to why this just didn't work for you.

[Sunny Saver]

For me, I couldn't actually find myself liking or feeling any empathy with the characters. I didn't care about them.

BTW did anyone else think that Ricky Tarr looked like Jamie Oliver or vice versa? Pukka ennit.

[David]

I always struggle to get into a film when there's no effort to understand character motivations. I think it takes more than a complicated narrative to make a good story - it needs characters that matter. The Wire's a good example of managing both, albeit not a film. But writing a complicated story does not make great work, managing to write characters that you care about within that story is - and that's what makes a smart film in my opinion I can agree that stylistically it was very interesting, just felt let down by never understanding what drove the characters.

I really look forward to reading your review for TTTS on your blog, David. I would love to see your in-depth analysis as to why this just didn't work for you.

Look forward to your take too. It's an interesting one. Have you got plans to see it?

[The Sparrow]

but did you know anything about the plot beforehand?

If you mean me, then I had a rough idea but I make a concerted effort not to read up on any film too much before I go to see it and I never read a review beforehand.

I knew the basics, that Smiley is trying to find a mole.

[The Sparrow]

Well, I definitely wouldn't want to watch an entirely subtitled film in the Mayfair Hotel... very slow burning, very understated and I got completely lost with what was going on and who was who. I wonder if you have to be familiar with the original to 'get' it.

You don't need to be familiar with the original at all imo. I think people just aren't used to having to concentrate on a film nowadays. I loved watching a proper film without any special effects, profanities and shocks just for the attention of it. Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with films that contain all of the above but it was so enjoyable just watching a character driven film with a proper plotline.

This really encourages me to post here more often... I feel I'm quite capable of concentrating on films and I'm not the only person who found the storytelling of Tinker, Tailor difficult to follow. Can't we all share our opinions without being insulted.

Excuse me, pray tell me where exactly I insulted anyone?

[The Sparrow]

Well, I definitely wouldn't want to watch an entirely subtitled film in the Mayfair Hotel... very slow burning, very understated and I got completely lost with what was going on and who was who. I wonder if you have to be familiar with the original to 'get' it.

You don't need to be familiar with the original at all imo. I think people just aren't used to having to concentrate on a film nowadays. I loved watching a proper film without any special effects, profanities and shocks just for the attention of it. Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with films that contain all of the above but it was so enjoyable just watching a character driven film with a proper plotline.

I don't find the above comments particularly open minded or kind and will do little to encourage people to post if they are told in a condescending way that the reason they didn't like the film was that they just aren't used to concentrating, etc. We can all agree to disagree without being disparaging.

Ignore them LilacFairy-- you can certainly tell us what you think and not have to put up with remarks like these.

I didn't insult anybody nor were my comments attacking anybody else's opinions but you have and I most certainly don't have to put up with your remarks either!

[The Sparrow]

I'm sorry, but I didn't see it as disparaging at all. Very few films require much of the viewer. TTSS is far more challenging than your typical fare. Yes, if it was 30 minutes longer there could have been more time dedicated to making it clearer who is who. As it stands, it's possible but this is a film that works best with an audience that is quite into it. I truly thought The Sparrow's observation was spot on because TTSS is definitely stylistically different from the majority what I see.

Thank you. I was beginning to think people could see comments I had written that I wasn't aware I had written.

I love films where I can leave my brain at home, I adore horror and sci fi and all manner of silly comedies and rom coms but just once in a while a film comes along that is truly cerebral and this is one such film.

I'm not saying it is perfect because it isn't. I am also not having a pop at people who didn't like it. Those that don't are entitled to my opinion just as I am entitled to mine. I enjoyed having a film to watch that required concentration and I also appreciated being amongst an audience that in the main sat and watched instead of talking, texting and eating huge amounts of popcorn throughout it.