Una espía entre amigos

In the 1950s, John Le Carre (as he wasn't yet known) had to leave his job in the British secret service following the defection of the Kim Philby. Le Carre adopted his pen name and took up a new career as a writer of spy thrillers; and most directly fictionalised the Philby story in his most famous novel, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'. This was adapted into a brilliant, talky television drama, featuring many of the outstanding British actors of the 1970s. It was more recently made into a film; but in a very different style. 'A Spy Among Friends' is new, less fictionalised account of Philby's defection, but it's far more like the 1970s version of Le Carre's work than the later film. Guy Pearce, Damian Lewis and Anna Maxwell Martin, among others, sit around talking. I should absoultely love it, given how much I adore its spritual predecessor, and it is good; but it's a little bit too clever, and it can be hard to follow all the subtle twists of plot. The Australian Pearce in particular is very good (and convincingly English) as Philby, but it's a muted affair.

'A Spy Amongst Friends' is a demanding dramatic production. It insists its audience vest close attention in both the key actors, and the rather complex plotline.

Set in the sixties era of the early cold war, it is a classic British spy drama.

For me, supported by an exceptional supporting cast, it is Anna Maxwell Martin who stands out as a performer. Her character, Lily Thomas, is delightfully situated. In her role, she delivers. Her character is positioned as an antithetical antagonist to the misogynist MI5 organisational culture. In a male dominated social space, entrenched by upper class British intellectuals, and peers of the realm, stupidity falls at the feet of the old boys club.

Lily Thomas is literally the cat amongst the pigeons, tasked to evaluate and assess a senior MI6 (SIS) spymaster. Noncompliant with the male network of trust and innately insular existential social hierarchy, she (Lily), cuts through the masculine dogma and gender obfuscation.

This is a fictional drama which uses mostly real world player's involved in a time of near collapse of the British secret services. It is very well written. Actors et al deliver a collective continuum of stella performances. This is not an action movie, but for the attentive, vested viewer it is exciting, compelling and highly rewarding.

I have to say I was initially sceptical given some of the bad reviews until I saw a pattern, most of the negative reviewers hadn't bother to finish it so I persevered and I'm glad I did. This show offers something that's missing from so many TV shows out there - an intelligent story told by actors with real talent. Sure the story jumps back and forth but if you actually pay attention and give it time the rewards are there. All are on fine form especially Damien Lewis who is superb.

If you like intelligent well crafted TV dramas that offer a twisty tale for grown up this might just be for you.

This must-see addition to the Cold War spy genre leans heavily on the visual and stylistic tropes established by the definitive 1979 BBC dramatisation of John Le Carre's 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'.

The lighting, settings, dialogue and pacing all pay homage to this classic series.

The production is absolutely sumptuous, with no expense spared. Beautiful photography, set decoration, locations and a legion of telephone boxes, pillar boxes and handily placed furniture vans (together with a cavalcade of vintage vehicles, archive footage and outstanding CGI matte shots) transform modern-day London and Bucharest into the Europe of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

The narrative is often difficult to follow. Some streamlining and signposting of the plot would help. I watched all six episodes back-to-back and, at times, it felt like I was reassembling the shredded CIA files after the Fall of Saigon. One dark, wintery street, full of shuffling brown shapes, looks much like any other.

But the acting is top-notch. BAFTA-worthy performances from Anna Maxwell Martin, Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, and the story really rewards those who stick with it. Plaudits for the original score too.

Heartily recommended, though, for multiple viewings, I'd opt for Alec Guinness every time.

A movie about the world of spies, not a spy movie.

Captivating and dynamic to the end; even in crescendo.

The central character Nicholas Elliott is wonderful. He is "the spy among friends". The friends are everyone else: the defector Philby, the commoner Ann from MI5, the impetuous yankee Angelton, the arrogants Sir... "More involved than he looks", he is the real spy, with a vision. He puts things in order; everyone learns from him.

The film is not about Philby; but how do you make things move forward, how do you manage a crisis... in british style.

A film about the great world of British espionage, with the imperial spy Elliott.

P. S. It's in small spaces because it's not an action movie. And it's not "in darkness" but in the shadows. Because the focus falls on the characters, it's a battle of intelligences.