A and I went to see this last night, and agree with you. "It was so good A stayed awake till 11pm" is not going to make it onto the cover of the DVD, but it is strong enough praise that it should.
I agree with you about the authentic grimness of the seventies setting, but I was also impressed by the way the film was often stylish with it: lots of rooftops and back alleys with beautiful cinematography.
I remember the Alec Guinness BBC version, and I was a little startled to realise that that version was a contemporary drama, and this one is a historical piece. I think one difference between them is that Guinness portrayed Smiley as weary, and Oldman makes him implacable and enigmatic. (I read the book years ago, and I think Guinness's portrayal was closer to it, but I think Oldman's is more to my taste.)
It's interesting how they draw a connection between Anne Smiley and Karla, both of whom are supremely important to Smiley, but both of whom are kept off stage. I think that equation is new to the film, too.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
I agree with you about the authentic grimness of the seventies setting, but I was also impressed by the way the film was often stylish with it: lots of rooftops and back alleys with beautiful cinematography.
I remember the Alec Guinness BBC version, and I was a little startled to realise that that version was a contemporary drama, and this one is a historical piece. I think one difference between them is that Guinness portrayed Smiley as weary, and Oldman makes him implacable and enigmatic. (I read the book years ago, and I think Guinness's portrayal was closer to it, but I think Oldman's is more to my taste.)
It's interesting how they draw a connection between Anne Smiley and Karla, both of whom are supremely important to Smiley, but both of whom are kept off stage. I think that equation is new to the film, too.