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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: whoopee!

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This superbly acted ensemble piece finds Guiness at his minimalist best (could Bill Murray have studied his underacting?) leading an investigation into the identity of a mole planted by the sinister Communist mastermind "Karla."
As in the similarly well-done "Smiley's People," TTSS is shot on location, and there are many. Lisbon and its environs especially are well-filmed.
The story is a bit slow in unfolding, but you won't mind: the suspence of the chase, complexity of the web of deceit, and understated (hence realistic, compared to Hollywood bombast) dialogue keeps your attention... and then some.
I have only one small quibble: several actors adapted Smiley's habit of letting the character speaking to them ask a question, failing to answer or acknowledge, and letting the "conversation" continue. Since this is rare in both real life and film, I assume it's either the director's direction or a conscious mimicking of Guiness's style by the other actors. It is a bit "off-putting," as the Brits would say.
Unlike some here, I wouldn't place it above "Smiley's People." I found the quality of both quite comparable. In fact, the "son" of the "General" in SP I found a bit irritating: his false Russian accent was WAY over the top--- and his wife's anger seemed falsely contrived, as well.
If you have suffered through a James Bond vehicle over the past 20 years, or so, do yourself a favor and watch these: they are the antidote.

Follow Ups:

Re: And.... Lost in Translation--------- - patrickU 07:10:02 09/11/05 (15)
I saw this one for the third time and it is even better it grows like a good wine, Bill Murray acting looks even better. He made a great job. Just look at him, his face. Great.
This film is getting in my ranking now the " classic " mention.
Yes " Karla " is not " Kaka ". What a wonderful series. A real challenge for the spirit, and I have only the English version without subtitles, so I have missed quite a lot of the fun.
It was far superior to TTSS. More refined more intellectual, more sexy, more spirit....
But both are more than worth the show!
- With all the Billy-bashing here I am scared to agree with your assessment: - tinear 08:55:59 09/11/05 (14)
  Murray is brilliant in LinT and it IS a classic.
  Broken Flowers is not anywhere nearly as good but it is a good effort.
  Murray seems to have ascended to be the Zen Master of acting.
  I now am aware of all the "acting" efforts lesser talents resort to.
  How rare to have an actor become better with age as Bill has. Usually, they sink into mannerisms, a la Pacino, DeNiro.
  - Re: Don�t be scare my seals boy------- - patrickU 10:17:37 09/11/05 (0)
    I am here to take care of your good right and...behaviour....
    I will have a look at BF it gots fair critics here not overwhelming but ok.
    Not only he felt lost in translation but also in himself. Maybe it was so to be meant from the beginning, I need the time to understand...
  - Re: I liked the way Jack Lemmon aged... - Jeff Starrs 09:21:32 09/11/05 (12)
    ..also.
    Murray reminds me of him, sometimes.
    And LinT, yes, a classic..I think she's an enormous talent after just two movies (I think), Sophie Coppola.
    - Maybe it's a personal thing... but I've always disliked Lemmon. - tinear 12:14:05 09/11/05 (11)
      Something about his diction, that slight lisping thing... anyhow, it's an emotional reaction but perhaps also intellectual: I think he's a terrible actor.
      Sorry.
      - I loved Jack Lemmon.... - TWB 20:25:57 09/14/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Maybe it's a personal thing... but I've always disliked Lemmon. posted by tinear on September 11, 2005 at 12:14:05:
        
        The China Syndrome, The Apartment, Days of Wine and Roses, Mister Roberts, Some Like It Hot, The Odd Couple, Save The Tiger, Glengarry Glen Ross and so many more....thank God for actors like Jack Lemmon...to me he was always the epitomy of the "common" man...I miss him and his talent...
      - Re: "Don't apologise - sign o' weakness..." - Jeff Starrs 12:21:26 09/11/05 (9)
        
        In Reply to: Maybe it's a personal thing... but I've always disliked Lemmon. posted by tinear on September 11, 2005 at 12:14:05:
        
        John Wayne.
        ;0)
        
        Yer right, pilgrim. nt - tinear 17:35:26 09/11/05 (8)
        
        In Reply to: Re: "Don't apologise - sign o' weakness..." posted by Jeff Starrs on September 11, 2005 at 12:21:26:
        
        ?
        
        Re: No Jeff is wrong. - patrickU 04:51:36 09/12/05 (7)
        
        In Reply to: Yer right, pilgrim. nt posted by tinear on September 11, 2005 at 17:35:26:
        
        It is just the contrary. The weak will never apologise, as it is luxury for him.
        
        Re: Huh?. - Jeff Starrs 08:06:06 09/12/05 (6)
        
        In Reply to: Re: No Jeff is wrong. posted by patrickU on September 12, 2005 at 04:51:36:
        
        I was just quoting John Wayne....qu'est ce qu'il y a?
        
        Re: Huh?. - patrickU 08:13:51 09/12/05 (5)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Huh?. posted by Jeff Starrs on September 12, 2005 at 08:06:06:
        
        I was not certain if you did meant it in an earnest way...Now I know that you did not...
        All a learning curve....Cher ami....
        
        Re: Bon... - Jeff Starrs 08:46:37 09/12/05 (4)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Huh?. posted by patrickU on September 12, 2005 at 08:13:51:
        
        ..�a depend si le courbe est montant ou descendant, comme un �toile filant, c'est �a?
        ;0)
        The Importance of Being Earnest?
        Sure!
        
        Re: Bon... - patrickU 09:29:45 09/12/05 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Bon... posted by Jeff Starrs on September 12, 2005 at 08:46:37:
        
        Malentendu sur le net...
        Normal, learning curve.
        
        Re: Can you... - Jeff Starrs 09:38:24 09/12/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Bon... posted by patrickU on September 12, 2005 at 09:29:45:
        
        ..imagine the density of the misunderstood unconscious cloud that's floating around the planet these days?
        I can't.
        
        Re: Can you... - patrickU 10:12:59 09/12/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Can you... posted by Jeff Starrs on September 12, 2005 at 09:38:24:
        
        I am afraid I can. What is understandable in the smallest unity ( you and/ or me ) is the same in the macro universe.
        What always amazed me is the ferocity of most of us at trying to get money, by all means.
        
        Re: If it was... - Jeff Starrs 11:05:00 09/12/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Can you... posted by patrickU on September 12, 2005 at 10:12:59:
        
        ...coconuts, we'd do the same.
        Unless we changed our minds.

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