Cumberbatch has it all to do in this slow-paced, real-life tale of 60s Soviet espionage directed by Dominic Cooke
Royal Court theatre alumnus and film-maker Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach) directs, dressing the story in a suitably ominous colour palette and capturing the oppressive sense of lives surveilled.

But with slack pacing and insufficient focus, the film lacks the crackle of tension and propulsive efficiency of something like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.