For a movie, it was pretty good. I am a big Gary Oldman fan, but he is not fat enough to play George Smiley, nor does he come close to being Smiley. I honestly believe tha Alec Guinness is the George Smiley. He played him beautifully. Also the BBC mini series he played the character was light years closer to the book. With that being said, the movie is still engaging to a certain degree Better than most movies today.