I didn't have trouble following the film, though I had read the book when I was about 15. My experience was of simultaneously taking in the film and having memories triggered from the book, and the intersection of memory with current experience made it extremely absorbing. I remembered about three-quarters of the way through who the mole was.
After seeing it I started rereading Le Carré. I understand it in a completely different way than I did when I was 14-16.
By the way, if you like Benedict Cumberbatch you might be interested in some of the radio work he's done. I have copies of all three series to date of a very funny radio comedy where he plays an airline pilot (with Roger Allam, who is equally fabulous) and one radio play where he portrays T.S. Eliot with a serviceable American accent. Drop me a line if you'd like to hear them.
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After seeing it I started rereading Le Carré. I understand it in a completely different way than I did when I was 14-16.
By the way, if you like Benedict Cumberbatch you might be interested in some of the radio work he's done. I have copies of all three series to date of a very funny radio comedy where he plays an airline pilot (with Roger Allam, who is equally fabulous) and one radio play where he portrays T.S. Eliot with a serviceable American accent. Drop me a line if you'd like to hear them.