Blu-ray Review: ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ with Gary Oldman

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CHICAGO – Gary Oldman scored his first Oscar nomination for his incredible, subtle work in Tomas Alfredson’s “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. The film is ultimately a bit too cold and clinical for this viewer but it features enough amazing parts, including Oldman’s performance and incredible production design, that the lack of a more-impressive sum shouldn’t hold you back.

Blu-ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

The mini-series version of John le Carre’s influential novel that starred Alec Guinness is beloved in certain circles, especially most of the U.K. and so the bar was set pretty high for the remake. I’ll admit to finding some of “TTSS,” especially the first act before the great Tom Hardy injects it with some fire, a bit too cold. However, the technical expertise on display here is remarkable. Every element of the production, including the design and Hoyte Van Hoytema’s stellar cinematography, is well above average and a strong fit for HD. And Oldman, Hardy, and Benedict Cumberbatch give particularly memorable performances.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Synopsis:
Gary Oldman leads a stunning all-star cast in this masterful adaptation of John le Carré’s bestselling novel that redefined the spy thriller. At the height of the Cold War, a precarious operation goes deadly wrong, and the head of British Intelligence wonders if a double agent is leaking vital secrets. Brought out of retirement to expose the potential mole, master spy George Smiley (Oldman) is the only one who can be trusted to expose one of their own.Or can he? As the emotional and physical tolls mount on the high-ranking suspects, Smiley will be forced into the ultimate international spy game where everyone’s motives are in question. Filled with stunning performances by Academy Award® winner Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ciarán Hinds, it’s the powerful and deeply resonant spy tale that Ebert Presents at the Movies hails as “hands down the best new thriller this year.”

Special Features:
o Interviews with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Author John le Carre, and Director Tomas Alfredson & Co-screenwriter Peter Straughan
o Deleted Scenes
o Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: First Look
o pocket BLU
o BD-Live

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com