December 26th: TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY (Tomas Alfredson, 2011)

A high-ranking agent in British Intelligence is charged with the task of weeding out a mole inside the organization.

John le Carré is the pen name of former British agent-turned-novelist David Cornwell, perhaps the most respected figure in espionage fiction, whose 50-year writing career has yielded numerous best sellers and film adaptations.  Le Carré's detailed, cynical observations stand in stark contrast to the glamorous images of the James Bond films.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is not the first of le Carré's novels to feature protagonist George Smiley, but the book begins a trilogy where Smiley faces off strategically against his Russian counterpart (code name: "Karla") in various scenarios across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.  The story was adapted for British television in the late 1970s (starring Alec Guinness as Smiley) to great acclaim.

Screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) had the idea for a big-screen adaptation, though left the project after his first draft.  The directing job wound up with Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson, coming off his arthouse horror hit Let The Right One In.

The cast is filled with notable names from several generations of British actors: Gary Oldman stars as Smiley in an atypically subdued performance, and is joined by Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, John Hurt (The Elephant Man), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes),  and Toby Jones.

The production was shot on location primarily in London and Hungary, with additional work in Turkey.  Reuniting with Alfredson is cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. The story's Cold War atmosphere is essential; what was present day upon the novel's release is now period, rendered by the design team in striking fashion.

The film received positive reviews, and opened to great success in England, topping the box office chart for weeks.   The British Film Academy recognized the film with 11 nominations, winning for Best British Film and its screenplay.  Gary Oldman finally received his first Oscar nominations, with the screenplay and musical score also nodded.

Running time is approx. 2 hours.