Direction: Errol Morris
Country: UK
The Pigeon Tunnel lifts the veil on the life of David Cornwell, better known as John le Carré, the renowned author of espionage classics such as The Spy Who Came From the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and The Constant Gardener. Weaving together sparse archival footage, newspaper articles, and re-enactments of Cornwell’s life episodes, this documentary frames a singular portrait of a man of mystery whose life inspired his literary masterpieces.
The notable documentarian Errol Morris, who excelled with The Thin Blue Line (1988) and Gates of Heaven (1978), takes on the role of interrogator and interviewer in a competent manner. However, despite an imposing score and enigmatic imagery, the film lacks a certain tension that one might expect from a spy-related narrative. Yet, the film compensates with interesting revelations and intimate details that will probably make fans and newcomers care.
The documentary delves into le Carré's complex relationship with his con artist father, Ronny, and mentions Kim Philby, a notorious spy for the Soviet Union and betrayer of the Queen, who held a deep admiration for le Carré's work. Its main strength lies in le Carré's secret life, shedding light on themes of betrayal, deception, duty, and morality. The eternal dance between manipulators and the subjugated is vividly portrayed, adding depth to the narrative.
Although Morris' direction may be criticized for feeling somewhat static, there is a certain fascination in witnessing how le Carré, often labeled the ‘poet of self-hatred’, crafted novels that seamlessly blended imagination and personal experiences with unparalleled competency. The author died in 2020 at the age of 89.
