Movies often depict international espionage as an exciting life full of sex, explosions, and evil geniuses bent on destroying the world. In reality, we know that it is more likely lots of paperwork, hours upon hours of patient surveillance, and smoky conference rooms. This is the spy life depicted in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy an adaptation of John LeCarre's 1974 novel of the same name. LeCarre knew his source material very well, and it is likely that at least some of his novel is based on actual events. LeCarre's real name is David Cornwall, a British spy at MI6 who was betrayed by Kim Philby a double agent working for the Soviets. The film adaptation of this story, is full of twists and turns, but it is paced very slowly and deliberately in order to increase the tension to new heights.
