Control (John Hurt) suspects a mole in the upper echelon of British Intelligence and sends an special agent (Mark Strong) to Hungary to kidnap a Russian general to root out the traitor. When the agent is murdered and Control perishes naturally, George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is called out of retirement to find the double agent, who is likely one of the men atop Control's secret subdivision (Toby Jones, Colin Firth, Ciaran Hinds, David Dencik). "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a Cold War set spy thriller from a novel by John le Carre, a master of the genre. Director Tomas Alfredson, following up his international debut hit "Let the Right One In", helms this film in a similar manner, drenching his film in saturated colors and given it the correct empty feeling for the time and place. Gary Oldman is absolutely wonderful as the cerebral spy, totally inhabiting his character once again. Colin Firth delivers another fine albeit short effeminate performance. In supporting roles Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, the great John Hurt, and Mark Strong in a surprising turn shine through. Unlike most of the espionage movies we've grown accustomed too, which take the easy roads of gadgetry, sex and cheap thrills, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a demanding film whose rewards are numerous.
