I haven’t done a new flick spotlight in a while, and the last time I did it was on Cloud Atlas, which had quite an ensemble cast. Well, the fantastic British cast is what initially grabbed my attention about Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. If you’ve read this blog long enough, you know I love all things Brits and most of my favorite actors are from across the pond. Well, this one is chock full of them! Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, and John Hurt.
I put this movie on the list of most-anticipated movies of 2011 back in March, but now it’s been generating some serious buzz all over, thanks to the impressive set of enigmatic character posters …
… and trailer, like this new International version that’s just been released yesterday.
…
It shows just a bit more clips than the first trailer, but retains that same creepy, sinister vibe. It’s particularly interesting that it uses the same score as in the X-Men: First Class, and the fact that both are set in the 60s. I love the retro look and the music is certainly effective.
Based on John le Carré’s 1973 novel of the same name, this movie is a remake to the 1979 British miniseries starring Sir Alec Guinness as espionage veteran George Smiley. Set in the bleak days of the Cold War, the plot centers on a middle-aged spy who’s forced out of retirement to uncover a Soviet mole in the “Circus”, the highest echelon of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). The minute we hear the words ‘British spy’ most of us automatically think of 007, but the gritty and realistic portrayal of the espionage world in this one is a far cry from the glamorous lifestyle depicted in the Bond movies.
According to FilmStage, Le Carré actually has a cameo in the film. The British spy novelist has also seen the film and has high praise for it… “Through my very personal prism… it is a triumph. And if people write to me and say, ‘How could you let this happen to poor Alec Guinness,’ I shall reply that, if ‘poor Alec’ had witnessed Oldman’s performance, he would have been the first to give it a standing ovation. I’m very proud to have provided [director Tomas] Alfredson with the material, but what he made of it is wonderfully his own.” Wow, that’s quite a compliment coming from the author himself!
Speaking of Alfredson, he’s said to have brought a horror sensibility to the film, even comparing it to his last feature, the Swedish vampire flick Let the Right One In. In the Independent article, he’s quoted as saying ” … horror is 90 per cent inside people. The gap between reality and what’s happening in their mind — that’s what creates the horror. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a horror precisely because you do not know how far the conspiracies and lies stretch — it could be much worse than you think.”
I’m so glad to see Gary Oldman in a leading role in a pretty high profile project. He’s done other leading roles of course, but this is perhaps one of the most prominent with high visibility. I’m pulling for him to finally nab at least an Oscar nomination for the role. Can you believe it he has NEVER been nominated?? It’s ludicrous really considering his resume. I’ve listed five of my favorite Gary Oldman roles, but I have a strong feeling I’d have to make room for his role as Smiley once I’ve seen this film. He even sounds different somehow, but then again great actors are often able to alter their speaking voice.
And of course there’s the eye candy factor, ehm. Tom Hardy is not the primary reason I want to see this movie, but his presence certainly can’t hurt. He looks so darn appealing sporting blond locks. Even amongst THIS cast, I have no doubt he’ll be stealing scenes with his seductive glances and well, looking like Tom Hardy 😀
I know it’s perhaps premature to say this, but I can’t imagine this one NOT living up to the hype. I sure hope this will be released nationwide come November 18!
What do you think folks? Is this high on your must-see list?
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Oh my this one looks fantastic! Oldman is the ultimate acting chameleon, and I agree he should have had several Oscar nods at this point in his career. What a great cast rounding it out as well.
You said it Markus, chameleon is the word. He’s one of the actors I think of whenever I hear that word used in regards to acting. Hope the Academy will finally recognized him for it!
Yeah, this one is in the can’t wait for it category.
Right on, Michael!
I’ll be sure to let you know how the film is when I see it this September! It’s been my most anticipated film since I found out they were making it last fall. 🙂
I’ve heard that if this is successful, they are planning on filming the rest of the Quest for Karla trilogy. Not sure if this is true or not.
Oh please do! I’m jealous that people in Europe gets this more than a month sooner. I haven’t heard of that Karla trilogy, I presume it’s also by le Carre?
It’s the trilogy that Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy starts up.
The other two books are The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s People. Smiley’s People was also made into a BBC miniseries, I believe.
I’ll definitely be posting a review on my blog after I see it. 🙂
I saw extended previews for this at the Empire Big Screen event and that just convinced me that it has to be on my must-see list. I’m really looking forward to watching such a fantastic cast, I have very high hopes.
That’s cool, Louise, aren’t you lucky you got to go to BIG SCREEN. I have a feeling we won’t be disappointed with this one!
This is easily one of my most anticipated films of the fall, if not the rest of the year. The trailer makes it look like an excellent thriller. Nice post.
Glad to hear, Dan. Yeah this is one of the best trailers of late as it didn’t give away the entire movie!
Hi, Ruth and company:
Wickedly cool addition to the ‘Tinker, Tailor…’ series of trailers!
Getting to see more characters and obliquely get a feel for who the mole may be and what has to be overcome in taking him down.
From what I’ve been hearing from the dialogue in the clips, le Carre’s words haven’t been played with much. Still waiting to see which actress is going to try to fill the shoes of Beryl Reid’s Oxford Doyenne and retired Russia Watcher for The Circus, Connie Sachs.
Even if it’s a trimmed down version of the BBC Mini-Series. Where all the meat is and recommend viewing before going to the theater. These trailers are revealing all the Hallmarks of a truly great film!
Hi Jack, sounds like you’re very familiar w/ the story. Sounds like the BBC version is excellent, so it’s quite a feat to hear the author praises this movie in relation to that one.
Btw, I’m not familiar w/ the actresses in this movie, lucky gals obviously surrounded by this wonderful male actors 🙂
All that matters to me is this cast and “Cold War spy movie.”
Indeed, Rich. Espionage thriller is a sub-genre I’ll never get tired of.
I’m also eagerly anticipating this one. And as a fan of Let the Right One in, i think Alfredson may become a director to watch out for
Haven’t seen that vampire movie but have heard great things about him and the director.
Every bit of media that comes out I want to see. This is easily in my most anticipated films to round out the year. I really liked this in-depth coverage of what’s been released thus far.
Yeah, the marketing is impressive… very smart and intriguing, just like the film itself. This might be the movie we’ll be hearing a lot come award season I think.
This also opens in Sept. 16th, same day as Drive. I’m might do a double feature that weekend, first see Drive then this one.
Wow same day?! I will see Drive first and check this out the next week but I’m highly looking forward to this.
Ha ha, no I’m thinking thinking Drive on Friday then this film on Saturday or Sunday.
Wait, what? Sept. 16th? IMDb listed it as November 18, 2011 in the USA, guys. I think the Sept. date is for UK/European release.
LOL, well never mind then. I guess I’ll just see Drive on Sept. 16, ha ha.
Funny to read this as this morning I placed an article on the many faces of Gary Oldman. The last picture is the one from this movie…he looks cool in this and the list of other actors is impressive as well. Looking forward to seeing this!
Oh cool, I’ll check that out. Oldman is a great choice to do the ‘many faces of’ series as he’s so versatile. I did a similar collage photo in my tribute article to him a few months back.
I have this high on my most wanted list for the rest of the year. There is a press screening next week, but it is a toss up whether I go or to another equally cool event (with free cocktails and goodie bags!!)
Actually the other event is for Pirates blu ray release, so it is not cool, but did I mention the goodie bags? LOL
I am very much looking forward to seeing it.
Oh look at you w/ the press screening privileges… boy, sounds like a tough choice matey, but I’d be seeing this one if I were you. I don’t care for Pirates movies, with and without goodie bags!
Yes it is high in my must see list because it has Benedict Cumberbatch. He is after all in my list of actors I will always watch 😉
He looks damn cute in that trailer.
Apart from Benedict,the other casts are also great.
this movie reminds me of Le Carre book that collecting dust on my shelf…i really need to read that soon.
Ahah, so now he’s your Cillian #2 eh Nov? I’m not too familiar with his work yet but he was great in Atonement and Amazing Grace (the latter especially). Which book of Le Carre do you have?
Aha your list is better than mine, I haven’t seen those movies, I have only seen him in Sherlock and yet I have liked him a lot! Hehe yeah you can say that he is my 2nd Cillian. I want to see him played as Stephen Hawking, but not sure how to find it.
Le Carre’s book that I have borrowed is The Constant Garderner. I have borrowed it 2 years ago ;p
Thank you for spotlighting this Ruth! a lot more info than I knew about it. I really can’t wait to see it…and, of course, it looks hopeful for Oldman’s award pursuit.
Glad to hear, T. I tried to include some stuff some people might not have heard about… yeah, I haven’t found anyone who’s not at least intrigued by this.
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