If you’re looking for that relaxing but oddly captivating thriller, look no further than The Tailor of Panama. And if you want to dig deeper you will find a hilarious spy satire starring none other than Pierce Brosnan, Mr. 007. Now, you might think that he’s the main character in this movie but I beg to differ. Ever since I saw Geoffrey Rush in Shine, I’ve been fascinated by his career. He kept picking the strangest movies all featuring intriguing and charming characters. And he nailed every fucking role! From The Marquis de Sade in Quills over Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean to Peter Sellers in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Here, he plays a tailor for the elite of Panama who got into some monetary troubles.
And I’m not even nearly done listing all the glorious cast members of this movie. The Tailor of Panama also stars Jamie Lee Curtis and young Daniel Radcliffe in his first movie role. I just have to mention Brendan Gleeson and I promise I’m done. So, what’s this movie about? Well, we will be following a disgraced spy as he tries to accomplish his latest mission in the beautiful country of Panama. Shot on location, this is a visually arresting movie. You will want to travel there as soon as you see the vibrant streets and luxurious venues.
And I don’t want you to think that The Tailor of Panama is some clumsy spy comedy because it most certainly is not. It is an intelligent satire set against a fascinating post-cold-war backdrop. Based on a novel of the same name written by John le Carre it features excellent dialogue that’s genuinely funny. The atmosphere is bubbly and at times even suspenseful. However, the focus remains on the plight of the ordinary man caught in an extraordinary situation. By his own fault, to be perfectly clear.
Meet Harold Pendel, an elite tailor working for all the high-profile players in the small country of Panama. This is also the latest destination for a notorious womanizer, cynic, and alcoholic, Andrew Osnard. Andrew also happens to be a British spy. These two men have nothing in common and yet they will start working together on a mission that just might change both of their lives for the better.
One of the main reasons Brosnan is in this movie is because of its director, the famous John Boorman. I would suggest you check out his masterpiece Deliverance if you want to know more about his opus. His character development here is simply superb. There are no good or bad guys, just players, and suckers. And it’s up to you to choose which one you want to be. Loosen up and have a little fun with this one. Think if you were Harold, what would you do? Or simply think about what you’re going to do when you visit this magical country.
Director: John Boorman
Writers: John le Carré, Andrew Davies, John Boorman
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Radcliffe
Fun Facts: Geoffrey Rush doesn’t know how to drive a car so all scenes with him driving are an illusion of some sort.
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IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236784/
