The chilling methods of cold war espionage and betrayal within a fraternity of spy's take centre stage in the absorbing, ever patient and heartbreaking Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Spy movies usually sell sex and/or violence with Bond, Bourne and Mission: Impossible examples of the sub-genre at its action packed best. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the opposite. There are no explosions, no sexy seductresses, and no fight choreography. Yet it stands as the best film of its kind in years.

It all comes down to the characters, each with their own story and their own faults, all connected to one another and played by a dazzling ensemble cast of impeccable talent.

Leading the charge is chameleon Gary Oldman. He stars as George Smiley, a forcefully semi-retired spy who is brought back into the fold after it is revealed a Soviet mole has infiltrated the tight nit confines of MI6.

Portraying the other spy’s are a who’s who of British talent, with especially strong turns by Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch and in particular Mark Strong, who delivers a humane portrait of a spy left in the cold. It is a role which sticks out from his usual gallery of villains.

Also playing against type is Oldman. One of the great conjurers of rage, Oldman here is ever patient, absorbing the screen with a quiet turn where every gesture contains power and every word spoken is never wasted. The fact that Oldman’s Smiley doesn’t say a thing for the first 20 minutes proves this.  

Such is the strength of Tinker Tailor… . Based on the novel by acclaimed espionage writer John le Carre (himself a former spy) and directed by Tomas Alfredson (who impressed with his vampire film Let the Right One In), this is a patiently placed and carefully plotted film which works its mystery and emotions wonderfully.

Period detail is also impressive, with its early 1970s setting given an authentic feel through great art direction and costume design. Secure little rooms with kitschy wall to wall shag carpeting sells the tackiness of the era very well.

While espionage is its game, it isn’t what makes Tinker Tailor… such an interesting movie. There are stakes here that go beyond national security, as a tight nit older generation of spy’s deal with the shattering repercussions of betrayal, and a younger group learn what it is to sacrifice their personal lives for their work.

It is rare to have a thriller enthral you and break your heart at the same time. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy does just that, subtly, intelligently, and poignantly.