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movie review - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2013.06.08

This is a spy - or perhaps, counter-spy - story about a retiree who is called back to active duty to unmask a mole in Britain's intelligence division. It's a fairly miserable story, featuring miserable people in a miserable country. And in this, they've captured the tone of the original book perfectly in my opinion. I liked the story, the winding road to its conclusion, the atmosphere, and the narration. The characters, while miserable to a man, are depicted with such vividness that it's immediately apparent the author knew what he was talking about. The casting is simply amazing.

Strongly recommended. Especially for one of those night where you're looking for something to lower morale.

rand()m quote

It's difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.

—Anne Frank