Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Excellent spy film mixes suspense and shocking moments.

R 2011 127 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 6 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (adapted from a classic John le Carre spy novel) is an intelligent, adult movie. Violence isn't constant but includes guns and shooting, dead bodies, blood and gore, and violence against women (a mother is killed while nursing her baby, and another woman's head is beaten against a window). Language is also infrequent but includes a few uses of "f--k." There's also some nudity and onscreen sex (toplessness, a woman shown from behind while atop a man, etc.), plus some innuendo. Since the story is set in the early 1970s, characters smoke cigarettes freely and drink casually. For grown-ups and mature teens, this is a terrific film, arguably one of the best spy movies ever made.

Community Reviews

Julsbo
Julsbo Adult
January 29, 2021
age 15+

Complex, gritty, atmospheric - good for teens with an interest in history

This is the anti-James Bond. George Smiley is a bland, bespectacled, grey little man, easily overlooked - which are among the attributes that make him a good spy. Set in gritty 70s Cold War Britain, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy doesn't spoonfeed its audience with action set pieces or comic book heros. The plot develops briskly (if you're not paying attention, it might seem slow - but there's a lot to pick up on and refer back to), but the real story here isn't the who's-the-mole mystery, it's the study of what a lifetime of high-level espionage can do to friendship, love, and the idea of loyalty. Masterful, and my 15-year-old was riveted.
KKH
KKH Adult
May 1, 2020
age 17+

Slow and boring

I followed the story... it was still slow and boring. Don’t bother.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

During the Cold War, following a blown operation in Hungary in which a British Intelligence agent is shot, former agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is pulled out of retirement. His task is to find a mole planted deep within the ranks of MI6. He faces tough opposition from the men in charge and can trust nobody aside from his young assistant, Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch). Can Smiley follow the subsequent elaborate and complex trail without alerting the mole?

Is It Any Good?

Many spy movies tend to rely mostly on dialogue and exotic locations to tell their complex stories, but the superb TINKER TAILER SOLDIER SPY gets by on subtlety. The movie is based on the classic novel by John le Carre -- which was also made into a 1979 miniseries starring Alec Guinness. Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, making his English language debut, maintains an intricate balance, and Oldman, walking in Guinness' formidable shoes, gives a truly great, reserved performance.

Unlike many spy movies, there's very little shooting or chasing here. The color scheme is muted and industrial; even a hot cup of tea doesn't quite cut through the gloom. In many scenes, characters just seem to be sitting in rooms and talking. It sounds dull, but it's actually one of the best spy movies ever made, adding glorious layers and tones to each moment and building on moods and silences so that the exciting moments mean all that much more. Indeed, this quiet movie generates more suspense than a hundred chases and shoot-outs.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Tinker Tailor Solder Spy's violent moments. How shocking are the shootings and gore? Do they have greater impact because they're used sparingly?

  • Does the movie seem especially violent in regard to women? What message does that send?

  • Is the movie suspenseful? How does it achieve suspense with such a slow pace and so few action scenes? Does a good spy movie need a lot of action?

  • Is George Smiley a good role model? What are his main attributes? What are his faults?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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    Excellent, smart spy thriller for mature teens and up.

    age 14+
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    007's silver screen debut with action and bikinis.

    age 11+
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    Complex, powerful drama has intense violence.

    age 15+

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