The Tailor of Panama (2001)

Sly references to James Bond and Casablanca aside, "The Tailor of Panama" solidly stands on its own merits.

Its quirky excesses(loopy appearances of imaginary characters and serendipitious plot development) may seem, in the beginning, a little out of place for a political spy thriller.

But it doesn't take very long for one to realise that this is NOT a political spy thriller per se. Its that rare gem of a movie where one can safely suspend one's disbelief and yet not lose touch with one's intelligence along the way(Hmmmm....).

With its tongue planted so firmly in cheek(i.e. atypical casting, a sexy double edged screenplay and 'surreal' sendups of American/ British diplomatic gamesplay), I quickly gave up figuring out what's going on and instead focused on what's going to happen. In layman speak, I "went with the flow".

Which is a good thing as I soon discovered this movie to be deliciously entertaining both for the audience as well as the actors involved(noticeably having their share of fun in the quirky performances).

This is the kind of show(sadly, not many of them around anymore)that demands your attention, but will reward you threefold if you are a willing participant.

Not wanting to sound condescending, this is not a great movie. But it is an intellectually entertaining one. Sadly, with the standards of present day popcorn fare degenerating to new depths with each passing pic, I dare to hope that one day, films like "The Tailor of Panama" will again resume its rightful place - as nothing more than just a top rate pop corn flick.

But that day may never come and by default, this show will now have to assume a pedigree normally reserved for greater films. A sad predicament indeed. But that films like these still get made at all is reason enough to hope and celebrate.

I would recommend for all true movie lovers out there to go see this show and be thankful(at least for that two hours or so) that we can temporarily forget bum-numbing stinkers like "Pearl Harbor" ever existed.

I rest my case.

Thank you and good night.

Fmovies: This brilliant actor is so reminiscent of Alec Guiness, sinking into his roles so well and in this movie merging with the character, every inch the fawning fussy tailor with other agendas on the side and a secret past. I do not care for Jamie Lee Curtis's performances normally, I find her brittle with no depth, but here she shines with a light sense of humour and a feminist conscience and fidelity that brings a true authenticity to the role. the marriage portrayed here is highly believable, lots of lovely nuances and the tailor himself fussilly tending to braiding his daughter's hair and making sure the children get to school on time. Enter Pierce Brosnan who portrays an appalling cad here. You can tell he relishes the chance to play a true unsophisticate, preying on any woman who crosses his path. I will not give away the plot which spins very much like "Our Man in Havana" another wonderful movie. some of the roles were prettied up for Hollywoodland, Marta was more tragic and mute than she needed to be, Jamie Lee far too soignee and elegant. All in all a 7 out of 10. John Boorman never lets me down.

In the present Fahrenheit 9/11 atmosphere on re-watching this film I find much to admire not due to its incendiary political comment but from the skill of its making and its continued relevance which is the sign of a film which, I hope, will endure.

Ignoring the politics, for a moment, there is a lot to appreciate in Boorman's quick editing, interplay of farce and tragedy and ability to sum up a very complex story with telling detail. He draws stunning performances out of his actors (apart from the ever annoying Jamie Lee Curtis). Brosnan shifts character bewilderingly but by the end his roguish charm has been fully shed to reveal the horror of the man beneath, making Geoffrey Rush's exploitation believable and pathetic.

This ranks, along with the Killing Fields and Salvador (I'm sure I've forgotten many other worthy examples), as one of my favourite angry anti-war, anti-interventionism films arguing that where the justifying intelligence isn't good enough the rich and powerful states do not have the right to interfere, at least unless their motivations are purer than self interest. On the other hand, it is a great human drama with the country which serves as its backdrop used to great effect to emphasise the human tragedies played out within. Watch and enjoy, but you may find the first 10-15 minutes difficult until you have settled with the style - definitely worth a second watching.

The Tailor of Panama fmovies. Dumb. Stupid. Requires short attention span. I'm not talking about the movie, but rather the people who have critically lambasted this intelligent, stylish adaptation of John Le Carre's novel. Kudos to John Boorman, Pierce Bronsnan, Geoffrey Rush and a stellar cast. If you looking for an alternative to braindead blockbusters and regurgitated teenage comedies, then you've stumbled upon the right film. Imagine the complete antithesis of James Bond, a man who puts self before king and country, and loves them and leaves them with relish - enter Brosnan's Andy Osnard. Sit back and watch with sheer delight as this corrupt British spook pulls the strings that sets the U.S. on course for a second invasion of Panama. Misinformation is the game, and Osnard is planning to get rich on it. His pawn is the tailor of the title, Harry Pendel (brilliantly played by Geoffrey Rush). The film moves a snappy pace, the dialogue is witty and often times hilarious, and the cinematography, music and editing are all first rate. Who cares if two shots of a jet in the air scream bad CGI? That's not what this film is about. We're talking intelligent plotting, great writing, excellent acting, and another sexy, devilish turn for Brosnan that is slightly reminiscent of his Thomas Crown character. Brosnan, in my opinion, always fares best when he's playing against Bond type -- and here he excels. DO NOT listen to the naysayers on this one -- unless GODZILLA or ARMAGGEDON are your favorite movies. If you appreciate the dense, textured films of the late 60's-early 70's, then this one is for you. They sure don't make them like this anymore and you wouldn't know that they had with regard to Tailor, since Columbia's flying this one way under the radar. As always, they must be figuring that it'll play to the over 35 demo, so why even bother promoting it. Sad times these are, folks, when a first rate entertainment like this is ignored at the box office, and ignored by its own distributors. But there's always another Scream, American Pie and Halloween around the corner, so viva la cinema. Highest rating.

Geoffrey Rush is excellent as Harry, an Englishman with a sadly shady past who has re- invented himself in Panama as the best tailor in the country, making clothes for the rich and politically powerful. Into his world comes Osnard, played by Pierce Brosnan. A morally corrupt, self-serving MI6 spy, sent to Panama as a last chance after seducing a Euro diplomats wife.

Many were bowled over by the irony of casting Brosnan, so associated with James Bond, as this much realer, creepier Bond alter ego. A man who is handsome, and self-confident, but whose endless seduction of women seems smarmy not sexy, and who delights in screwing other people while profiting himself.

For me the casting was actually problematic. Brosnon's terrific, but the irony is so distractingly obvious, that it pulled me out of the story, and made me think too much about film and our hero images instead of simply accepting the character. Beyond that, Osnard is drawn a little too broadly for my taste. He's so transparent, I have a hard time he gets anyone to trust him even for a moment. If his inner self-serving pig were a bit better hidden, it might have given the audience more to unravel, and make other characters' willingness to do his bidding a bit easier to buy.

The mix of tones also was a bit of a misfire for me. Never quite darkly funny enough to ascend into true satire, but certainly never edgy enough to be taken seriously, there's a lack of danger here. Unlike 'Dr. Strangelove', we never really think Harry and Osnard's games will reduce Panama to a pile of rubble, and the intimation of it seems false and a bit silly.

Yet, all that complaining is because the movie is good enough, smart enough, brave enough and entertaining enough that I felt frustrated it didn't quite work as brilliantly as is should. But I'd certainly still recommend it, in spite of my long winded misgivings, and I'm also willing to give it another look.

Given that John Le Carre is credited as Executive Producer and co-writer, with Andrew Davies and director John Boorman, of this adaptation of his novel then fidelity is assured. But even he has to admit the debt he owes to Graham Greene and "Our Man in Havana" of which this can be seen as a prescient remake.

Pierce Brosnan is Andy Osnard, the disgraced MI6 agent banished to Panama for his sins. In order to justify his existence he needs information and settles on Harry Pendel, tailor and former jailbird down on his luck. But Harry is even more desperate than Andy and like Wormold before him the information he supplies becomes ever more fanciful and dangerous. But where the jokes in Greene's 'Havana' soured into tragedy, here the tragedy is closer to (very) black comedy and very funny it is, too. With marvellous performances from Geoffrey Rush as Harry and Brosnan in a career-best turn and flawless direction from John Boorman, this is a crisp, pertinent and hugely enjoyable entertainment.