Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

[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.

[Celini]

but did you know anything about the plot beforehand?

[soonforgotten]

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 agree with this 100%

[claire]

Don't know if it will interest anyone but just heard on the radio. That the guardian will be given away audio books of tinker tailer solider spy on Saturday.
And the follow up on Sunday.

[jeanelle]

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 agree with this 100%

But on your blog you say:
If there is a drawback to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy it is that so much material is condensed into two hours, it can become difficult to discern exactly who is who and doing what. There is not enough time dedicated to motivations and character development, simply because there are so many important players in this game.

[LilacFairy]

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 agree with this 100%

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.

[ejwrank]

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 agree with this 100%

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.

[tarantinoed]

Absolutely loved this film - every minute of it - especially the MI5 Christmas party. I haven't seen the original TV version but I doubt whether even Alec Guiness could better Gary Oldman in this role. Also, Mark Strong was as superb as ever.

I think you often get a new take on a society or period of history like this when a foreign director turns his/attention to a country they are not so familiar with e.g. Polanski's Chinatown or Herzog's "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans".

[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.

[shmile]

really enjoyed the film but thought the beginning was quite a slow start and i was just lost and didnt know what was going on like for the first 30 mins but once it got going i really got into it and enjoyed it
really good
8/10