I'm familiar with both the book and the series (although I haven't seen the latter for many years). For me it took two viewings for to really appreciate the film and I enjoyed it much more second time around, possibly because I was over the need to constantly compare it to its previous incarnations (something I did continuously through the first screening).
I was apprehensive about the changes to Guillam's character in particular and sceptical about the gay aspect. I guess it all boiled down to the need get a sense of the damage done to the emotional lives of these men by the work they do in the most economical way possible. OK the Camilla subplot was binned, but it didn't make it into the series either and would have taken up too much screentime in the film. I thought the reworking got the point over well, even if the emphasis was different to that of the book.
Btw Bill/Jim completely bypassed me until the film and even then I had to be persuaded. That's what happens when you read a book like TTSS at 14!
All in all I thought it was a moody, atmospheric and surprisingly moving interpretation of leCarre's work. The individual performances were terrific without exception and the period detail stunning.
no subject
I was apprehensive about the changes to Guillam's character in particular and sceptical about the gay aspect. I guess it all boiled down to the need get a sense of the damage done to the emotional lives of these men by the work they do in the most economical way possible. OK the Camilla subplot was binned, but it didn't make it into the series either and would have taken up too much screentime in the film. I thought the reworking got the point over well, even if the emphasis was different to that of the book.
Btw Bill/Jim completely bypassed me until the film and even then I had to be persuaded. That's what happens when you read a book like TTSS at 14!
All in all I thought it was a moody, atmospheric and surprisingly moving interpretation of leCarre's work. The individual performances were terrific without exception and the period detail stunning.
I would urge you to see it again :)