The Tailor of Panama (2001)

Tailors are the secret-keepers of the power elite; customize fine apparel for the rich and powerful, and you'll hear things only whispered in the halls of government. Such is the sly conceit of The Tailor of Panama, coadapted by John le Carré from his own novel, and directed by John Boorman with a delicious spin on the traditions of the spy genre. As British MI-6 agent Andy Osnard, Pierce Brosnan qualifies as James Bond's black-sheep sibling, viewing women only in terms of sexual conquest and conducting spy business by his own flexible set of rules. Banished to Panama to pay for recent indiscretions, Andy connects with Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush), a British ex-convict who's built a lucrative cover as tailor to Panama's highest officials. With the coveted Panama canal now under local control, Andy's arrived to see what Harry knows about the canal's pending multinational sale.

As Andy observes, Panama is "Casablanca without heroes," and that's precisely how Boorman depicts it: a melting pot of greed, ambition, and backroom maneuvering, where Andy can bed an embassy official (Catherine McCormack) while squeezing information from Harry, who concocts a phony "silent opposition" that puts British and American forces on full alert. Harry's wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) is pulled into the scenario by Andy's ruthless scheming, and The Tailor of Panama reveals how a simple fabrication can provoke trigger-happy forces around the globe. Part comedy and part political horror thriller--with a tragic supporting role for Brendan Gleason, from Boorman's The General--this is old-fashioned spy stuff made new by le Carré's inventive plotting and keen ear for the dialogue of rogues. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

The art of storytelling

Pierce Brosnan plays a British spy in this film but in a closer-to-reality scenario. No gadgets, no powerful weapons, no Aston Martin's. Okay, he gets to drive a BMW for about 5 minutes, but without the surface-to-air missiles. And fine, he still gets the ladies... Despite the lack of intense action the story is intriguing and clever. Everyone has their own interests in mind and it's amazing and sometimes funny to see what they will say and do to get things to work in their favor. Definitely an entertaining film. The Blu-Ray version is an improvement over the DVD version, but I have seen better quality video in other Blu-Ray releases. January 28, 2008

Great film......if you have a brain that enjoys thinking.

I'm shocked at how many people disliked this film probably because it requires attention and thought throughout from beginning to end and makes more sense upon second viewing. Intensely layered with a very dry, dark, and often bizarre sense of humor, excellent direction and acting with Pierce Brosnan playing a real scumbag, if you know nothing of political history and backdoor manueverings, this film may make no sense to you, but if you feel comatose being subjected to standard Hollywood crap, you may have fun with this. Put on your thinking cap and enjoy some thick intrigue. And some laughs, if you can "get it." October 17, 2007

A Satire on Political Thrillers

Panama is important for its wide-open banking system (money laundering) and as a way station for drug shipments. An agent from MI-6 in London is sent there to do what they do. (Don't ask if you don't have a need to know.) There is a Savile Row tailor who business is shaky; he needs money quickly. [Could higher-ups be squeezing Harry Pendel, the tailor, to turn him into a source of information?] Harry's custom includes the ruling class of Panama. Andrew Osnard pays 5,000 for a tour of Panama. This includes a man whose tongue is loosened by liquor.

The poor people are fed up with their oppression by their corrupt rulers, but can do nothing but complain. [As in other countries?] Osnard gathers information on the "silent opposition" in Panama. CIA Director George Bush made Noriega the ruler of Panama. President George Bush ended Noriega's reign with an invasion by US military forces. There is a flashback to show how Noriega's police kept law and order. [They don't tell what is going on now.] The information that Pendel provides is startling, the higher-ups want confirmation in writing. [The conspirators must put something in writing.] The film shows the odd locales used for meetings (a hotel, a dance hall). A strange travelogue indeed! When Harry thinks about quitting Andy threatens to expose and ruin his life.

The film shows how this misinformation rises to the top in an American-British conference. [Do you see the satire here?] The plan is to back the opposition to put a new class in power in Panama. The truth seems to be that any excuse will do as a reason to invade Panama and seize the canal. [An echo of Suez?] Would Ronald Reagan approve? There is a car chase like in other spy stories, but this ends in the weeds. Andy Osnard catches a private jet to Switzerland, he is aided by the British Ambassador. Is this the start of a beautiful friendship? There is a happy ending (which contradicts the main part of this story). Does satire do well at the box office?

Films are the condensed and simplified versions of the novel they are taken from. Sometimes the story is changed, for better or worse.
August 10, 2007

A really stupid flick.

I had back pain, needed to lie down, and decided to look at the local newspaper to see what was on TV. This movie was listed with a 3-star (out of 4) rating, so I picked it to watch. I guess they would have given 3 stars to anything bashing American and British imperialism and its devilish plans, especially against the proud people of Panama (which, if you don't know, is a Central American country, located right where the canal is). There is absolutely nothing in this film to even partially redeem its incredibly silly premise. I first thought that the leading actor was James Woods, but it turned out to be another guy, which put a final nail in the coffin of my opinion. Save yourself the trouble. August 4, 2007

Blu-Ray edition is average quality

I must admit I do not share the other reviewers enthusiasm for this movie. It is definitely a B grade production and very corny at times. It is basically a slap stick send up of the 007 movies.

This Blu-Ray edition has a very average video transfer, there is a lot of MPEG compression artifacts visible and blow me down, the sound track is only Dolby Digital 5.0 wheres the HD in that offering? May 17, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...