Die Libelle

This adaptation of one of John le Carre's long espionage novels is fantastic. It unravels several stores very slowly and in great detail, which you can only appreciate if a.) you've read the novel, or b.) you are watching the film for the second time. It is subtle and convoluted, but some of us love subtle and convoluted.

Beautiful cinematography, great script, top-notch acting, super story-telling. But you REALLY have to be patient and work for this one. In other words, just like the novels of Le Carre. Or the symphonies of Mahler.

So read the book first, or at least a summary of the extremely twisty plot, and then binge watch the whole thing over a snowy weekend when you weren't going anywhere anyway.

I read the favorable reviews along with the not so stellar " watching paint dry" reviews, and I think the difference is this: It is a tad slow at times, but it has to be to give you all the background on everyone and tell the story of why Khalil became how he is. Some people aren't cut out for the story unfolding slowly, with bits of backstory mixed in to fill in the pieces. It's a good story with lots of moving parts and background information that doesn't deserve the bad reviews from people too lazy to get involved in a good plot. If you like espionage type movies with mystery and some romance, and don't mind using your brain while watching, then this is for you. If you don't like involved, deep multifaceted plots then this isn't the show for you.

I'm baffled by some of the low ratings on this series. It's an outstanding story brought to life with great acting and directing. It's the quintessential spy movie that contains intrigue, fear, and psychological espionage. I was glad to see that the violence was placed strategically through the series rather than the typical gratuitous and monotonous onslaught of "action" movies. I'd highly recommend it if you like a more complex and subtle spy thriller.

This series is not for a general audience who are not prepared to pay attention and appreciate nuance as the critical reception compared to general audience response shows. One example is of people not understanding Charlie's motivation in going with Becker and agreeing to her first mission even though her very first audtion scene in episode 1 shows that she is a fantasist who craves danger and excitement with her story being undercut with scenes showing the reality, people not getting this shows that most people do not want to put any effort into watching television and expect to be spoon fed at every point.

This show uses editing and cinematography to create atmosphere and to highlight the artifice of the spy world and of cinema, there are many points that are beautifully meta. For instance the scene at the Acropolis is artifice not only for the characters but also for us the audience playfully directed by Chan-Wook and elevated by the score. This show will be divisive but great art usually is, also the costumes are to die for!

One needs to pay very careful attention from line one of this show to prevent getting lost. Once you get it, watching it play out is easier. You can't allow for distraction. Although some claim it's laboriously slow, it adds to the suspense. Characters are droll and lack animation, but it works. This series makes you use your imagination & tenacity. I enjoy the character interplay & putting the puzzle pieces together only to find they are in the wrong place. NO Hollywood bang-bang, shooting up buildings & wrecking dozens of cars. I love (so far) the lack of romantic interplay, that's a bonus. I wouldn't Charlie to be a hottie. She's a naive small time actress going nowhere fast, throwing in rebellion for attention. She's fascinated & intrigued by (the older) Gadi, a very believable situation in the 70s. I love her performance. This series is truly worth the try. Some things don't ring true, such as describing distance in miles rather than kilometers. Also a runner in the background in (I believe) Munich who is wearing modern day running clothes.