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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 ofThe 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 "Casablancawithout 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, andThe Tailor of Panamareveals 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'sThe 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
Living in the Tailors House I remember seeing this movie when it was in theaters. I liked it but did not love it. It is a movie you have to pay attention to in order to follow along. At that time I didnt really care or think about Panama either.
I purchased it recently because I now live in Panama in the house that was used as the "Tailors" house (exterior only, inside was a set). Watching the film again was more interesting bacause I now understood and knew the concepts (control of the canal) and the area (panama city). They have some great shots of the city and canal in the movie, very "famous" areas.
Overall the movie still wasnt great, but was better the second time around.
Oh what a tangled web we weave..... The story opens as British secret agent Andy Osnard (Pierce Brosnan) is sent to Panama in disgrace. The cynical agent is determined to profit from his exile and enlists tailor Harry Pendel into his scheme. Pendel runs the highly sucessful Panama branch of the old Saville Row tailoring firm of Braithwaite's. Unfortunately for Pendel Osnard knows that there is no British firm of that name, and that Harry learned his tailor skills while in prison, serving time for a scheme planned by Pendel's shady uncle. Pendel has managed to lie his way into respectable society in Panama, he is tailor to many members of the government, including the President, and has managed to marry well and raise a family. In order to protect all he has Harry lies to Osnard, but this only compounds the problems.
This is an intriguing story, showing not the glamorous or James Bond adventure type of spy story, but more of the gritty Harry Palmer - Ipcress File sort of tale. Neither Pendel nor Osnard is particularly sympathetic, each has led the way to their destruction by their own misdeeds. The women in their lives are using the men for their own purposes, the government officals, Panamanian, British and American are all either corrupt or stupid or both.
The dvd includes some extras, including a director's commentary, an alternate ending and a short featurette that are interesting. Jamie Lee Curtis turns in an excellent performance as Pendel's wife and fans of Daniel Radcliffe are treated to a brief, but well done pre Harry Potter performance.
This is not a 'fun' movie, it takes a certain amount of effort to follow the plot twists, to catch the subtle nuiances of the various characters but it is beautifully filmed, well acted and definitely worth the effort.A great movie about spies and deception A really great other side of Pierce Brosnan as a bad guy and someone that he uses that is better than he is.
