El infiltrado

This is a rare thing: a genuinely classy thriller. I've become so used to dodgy story lines and plots that resemble Swiss cheese that this is something of a shock. Of course, it helps that the acting is so brilliant with top performances from the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander and Elizabeth Debicki but a great actor needs a great script. The bedrock for this classy thriller is, of course, John le Carre, supported in the adaptation by David Farr. Susanne Bier's direction is a masterclass. The cinematography is stunning.

It's become a cliché to say that they don't make them like this anymore, but they rarely do. For me, it's the finest thriller this decade.

Oh, and Tom Hiddleston would make a very Ian Fleming James Bond.

I keep coming back to le Carre though. Once upon a time thriller writers like him and Freddie Forsyth were painstaking in their attention to detail, writing plots that arose out of believable characters. There's many a TV series that could take note.

In my opinion Tom Huddleston would be a great choice to take over as James Bond. This movie is a great example of how he would do in my opinion. Hopefully the 007 producers will give him serious consideration. He has shown the skills needed for the role and will easily handle the roll whether it requires seriousness action and also the times when sarcastic humor is needed.

Tom Hiddleston (Jonathan Pine) and Hugh Laurie (Richard 'Bloody' Roper) are a delight to watch in their respective castings and elevate this crime thriller to a cut well above the TV miniseries average. In fact, add to that the exotic locations and a music score worthy of Bond, The Night Manager really is something special.

I read the book after I'd viewed this series and appreciated the film script even more. The switching of Leonard Burr for the heavily pregnant 'Angela' (played by Coleman) is inspired and gives a wonderful 'common touch' to the otherwise very 'public school - ex military' vibe. Supporting roles from Elizabeth Debicki (Jed) and Tom Hollander (Corky) warrant honourable mentions for moments of brilliance. Check out Corky when, 3 sheets to the wind, he complains about the lobster salad - or lack thereof... ( incidentally - the lobster salad scene actually has John le Carrie as the dinner guest Pine apologises to - a nice touch).

All this acting talent simply heightens the drama of Carrie's masterful storytelling. We are charmed by Roper (the worst man in the world) and moved by Burr (recounting the memory of children exposed to chemical weapons) and the tension is held nicely by the paranoia of strained, mistrusting relationships. Close ups of Roper growling and glaring as the stakes climb ever higher, alongside everything going south back in London HQ make this an eminently re-watchable drama. Me likee Mr Pine...

I have to say That Night Manger was even better than I expected and I was expecting it to be good! Especially after reading all the great reviews and ratings. Tom Hiddleston is one of the most underrated actors working today. He's terrific in everything he does. The Night Manager follows former British soldier and now hotel manager, Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston). He is contacted by a spy operative for his help to spy on international businessman Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). Roper is believed to be the leader of secret arms trade. Pine infiltrates Romper's inner circle while keeping his real mission a secret. If you're looking for a good spy thriller that will hold your attention throughout every episode then give this a try. You won't be disappointed.

This masterpiece shows where TV series shine and where features fail. A Carré story in the format of a 1.5hour or even 3 hour movie would just have to take so many shortcuts that it will inevitably hurt the story. This well paced production captures all the mystery and action of the original material and perhaps even surpasses it.

Nonetheless the Golden Globe awards including Tom Hiddleston (Best Actor), Hugh Laurie (Supporting Actor) and Olivia Colman (Supporting Actress) are all well deserved as is the formidable pitch perfect performance of Tom Hollander. How magnificent Hugh Laurie is in a less expected role, and Hiddleston as the very suave man he just is, or plays. Go watch this.