At Cinebeats, friend of the Gutter Kimberly Lindbergs writes about John Le Carré and The Looking Glass War (1969). “In the world of John le Carré spies aren’t glamorous figures chasing bad guys with a martini in hand and a beautiful woman on their arm. They’re working stiffs with a wife at home and a chip on their shoulder. They perform dirty deeds and do thankless tasks for king and country that leave their moral compass spinning in confusion. If you’re expecting lots of action illustrated by explosions and fast car chases forget it. Espionage involves more mind than muscle and le Carré is well aware of that fact.”