The Little Drummer Girl

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.

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.

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.

I read the book and saw the Diane Keaton film about100 years ago, so I can't vouch for the fidelity of this TV series to the novel. And, while I don't remember much about the film, I did look at its trailer on Amazon.com. Keaton's done some fine work, but, based on the trailer, her performance in the movie was over-the-top-and-down-the-other-side.

Some reviewers on this site have complained that this production was boring - like watching paint dry. Well, that's LeCarre. I'm not talking film adaptations, since a two hour adaptation has to compress a lot of activity into a short time. "The Little Drummer Girl," in six parts, every bit the equal of the Alec Guinness/Ian Richardson production of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." Nuanced, thoughtful, well acted.

I recently saw Florence Pugh in "Outlaw King," about Robert the Bruce. It was a small part, and she did not have much of a chance to shine. But as Charly, she proved herself a fine actress. And, while all of the rest of the cast was good, Michael Shannon gave a wonderfully shaded performance, quite unlike in "The Shape of Water."

LeCarre rarely writes any character as a hero. These are complex characters who deserve a viewer's patience, which will be rewarded throughout.

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.