Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy – Review
Miscellaneous / December 24, 2011

Today I went out to the cinema despite the freezing cold to see this movie.  Technically, it was excellent, with some superb performances, Gary Oldman and Benedict Cumberbatch both giving standout performances.  Of course, it helped that all the main leads are very easy on the eye. However, as a woman, I was shocked by how darned chauvinistic it was.  There was barely a single female character who wasn't a) simple arm candy for the main characters b) a glorified tealady c) an adulteress or d) a damsel in distress the rescue of whom is held out as a reward for one of the main male characters The only positive female character , a smart secretary who seemed to know what was what (who got maybe 10 minutes' screen time) was portrayed as less than traditionally attractive, and was forcibly put out to pasture (retired) very early on.  Sadly, I fear that's not too far from the truth of life in the 1970s British intelligence service.  It's been a while since I read John Le Carré's novel on which the movie is based, so I can't recall exactly if it's as chauvinistic. When speaking with friends they asked me what…

Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy – Review
Miscellaneous / December 24, 2011

Today I went out to the cinema despite the freezing cold to see this movie.  Technically, it was excellent, with some superb performances, Gary Oldman and Benedict Cumberbatch both giving standout performances.  Of course, it helped that all the main leads are very easy on the eye. However, as a woman, I was shocked by how darned chauvinistic it was.  There was barely a single female character who wasn’t a) simple arm candy for the main characters b) a glorified tealady c) an adulteress or d) a damsel in distress the rescue of whom is held out as a reward for one of the main male characters The only positive female character , a smart secretary who seemed to know what was what (who got maybe 10 minutes’ screen time) was portrayed as less than traditionally attractive, and was forcibly put out to pasture (retired) very early on.  Sadly, I fear that’s not too far from the truth of life in the 1970s British intelligence service.  It’s been a while since I read John Le Carré’s novel on which the movie is based, so I can’t recall exactly if it’s as chauvinistic. When speaking with friends they asked me what…