Review
The Tailor of Panama
- Director
- John Boorman
- Year
- 2001
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- a.k.a. Coffee
- Review date
- Friday, February 09, 2001
But let me start at the beginning. The first character that’s introduced to the viewer is Andy Osnard, an agent of the British secret service MI-6. He is punished for having an affair with the mistress of an English politician by being sent to Panama - obviously not the first spot on earth for advanced espionage work. Osnard (played by Pierce Brosnan) has no choice however and he is determined to make his stay in Panama as profitable and as pleasurable as possible.
In Panama he meets the gentlemanly tailor Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush) whom he quickly recognizes as an imposter. Osnard threatens to uncover the lies with which Pendel attempts to disguise his criminal past and offers the tailor a deal - information for cash. At first Pendel hesitates but then he agrees to the pact as he is in dept and needs money badly. Now the dilemma of the fake tailor and the central source of amusement for the rest of the movie is revealed - since Pendel doesn't have any info regarding a political conspiracy that the cynical British agent could be interested in he simply makes one up. And no matter how far-fetched or outrageous his data is, Osnard's superiors are willing to believe it all.
I bet you're as skeptical as I was about the casting of Pierce Brosnan as the MI-6 agent. Hmm... Don't we know that from somewhere? But before you make the wrong assumptions - this Brosnan is not Bond. Actually he's more of a caricature of 007: corrupt, greedy, arrogant and very, very sexist.
And while the tailor spins his unlikely tale mostly to mend his finances Andy Osnard is so ambitious that he will sell his dimwitted boss a conspiracy leading to a global crisis that only exists in theory. Both Brosnan and Rush play their characters with a wink of the eye and Jamie Lee Curtis makes a funny appearance as Geoffrey Rush's somewhat dominant wife.
The Tailor of Panama is at first sight a black comedy about the incompetence and stupidity of international intelligence agencies. At a closer look it is also a film on lies and pretences in general and about how all of us sometimes prefer lies and illusions to the sad truth because the truth is often disappointing.
The hilarious plot and the brilliant actors make up for the fact that sometimes the dialogues are a little over the top and for the film's tendency to mix too much genuine tragedy with too little comedy.
All together I recommend The Tailor of Panama to anyone who likes political parody with a good dose of anti-American sarcasm. What's cool in Bond is a joke here - check it out!
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Comments
Hamilton wrote at 6/22/2002:
I doubt it! He's been around for quite a long time and he hasn't ever done anything astounding. He's fun at times, though. I think he could be a great comedian. He hasn't defined his style very well. I really like him as 007 though!!! :) Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
I think it's all a matter of opportunities. Pierce Brosnan really made me laugh in Mrs. Doubtfire, but I'm sure he's versatile. He's got style and a lot of class. Think about it... Bill Murray, for example; he's a great actor, and an excellent comedian, but he's rarely taken seriously, because he hasn't had many chances to demonstrate his acting abilities. Rushmore was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for him, and let's hope for others to come. The same with Brosnan. He's no Geoffrey Rush, but I can bet he's much better than he seems sometimes...Anyone else?
Jeanne wrote at 6/22/2002:
Pierce is a very good Bond, in par with Sean Connery, and that is one of the reason why Bond is a commercial sucess where audiences can identify him with Bond character. He is also mesmerising in Thomas Crown. He can be a great romantic lead. Rob wrote at 6/22/2002:
I totally agree with you. He's charismatic and elegant. A great Bond, and good in nearly every role he plays. I agree that the success of his movies is because of him in great part. Good! Phoenix wrote at 6/22/2002:
I think we need different actors to play different roles. While Rush is terrific ( I like him in 'Les Miserables'), he cannot play Bond. Pierce is born to play Bond, and he is more than a matinee profile, he can be terrific as well. He is, at times, quite good in 'Grey Owl' , 'Dante Peak' and some pre-Bond movies, only somehow his characters are marred by the weak scripts and under-developed characters, but still he brings charisma to the roles. Coffee wrote at 6/22/2002:
Ahh!I feel so priviledged because I've already seen The Tailor ;-)
Seriously - it is a fantastic movie and Mr. Brosnan gives (in my opinion) his best performance up to date.
Although there is nothing (and I mean NOTHING) romantic about his version of Andy Osnard he'll leave you shaking in your seat with laughter. He and Rush make a perfect combination and the result is a perfect example of black (european) humour.
cappuccino wrote at 6/22/2002:
Don't understand what's meant by 'black (european) humor'? What the difference with American humor? Please elaborate, will you? Thanks. Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
We'll have to wait for Coffee's explanation, but I think there is a different humor in every different region of the world. We know about American humor and English humor. You can't compare Mr. Bean to Jim Carrey, for example. I haven't seen The Tailor of Panama, but Coffee has and he probably knows what he's talking about when he says it's filled with European black humor. I am also curious about the specific humor that may be, but I think I won't have that clear unless I watch the movie. Martini wrote at 6/22/2002:
Bond is moving to more drama, which is different from Roger Moore era and playing Bond is never easier. It is stupid for people to think that Bond is superficial and doesn't need any acting. I am sure Pierce is good in Tailor as he is in Bond, and he will be as good, or even better than Rush. Coffee wrote at 6/22/2002:
Woa, looks like I've started something with my remark on that so-called european humor..!First of all - I guess I've exaggerated a little when I called the humor European. What I was trying to say is that a character
like the one that Pierce Brosnan portrays in The Tailor[..] looks like the good guy of the movie for about 30 seconds until you find out that he is basically an a**hole. On the other hand he's very sarcastic and his ruthlessness tends to appear funny to the viewer.
Thus the humor is more bitter, politically incorrect and makes you think about some things after you've left the theater.
Call it black humor. I don't pretend that Europeans have a copyright on that ;-)
Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
I just wanted to state that I think Pierce Brosnan is the best Bond since the original, one and only Sean Connery. I could never say that if I didn't think he's a great actor. Moreover I have to agree that recent Bond movies give more depth to the character. Bond looked almost weak next to Sophie Marceau in the last one, didn't he? I like this change a lot. And Mr Brosnan also gave a great performance in The Thomas Crown Affair. The character he plays in The Tailor of Panama is very different but somewhat more interesting. People don't seem to like this change though as Boorman had to change the ending after some really bad screenings of a version in which Osnard was the villain. In the final version he's corrupt and sexist but still likable and attractive in a dark way. Well, I completely enjoyed the movie and Brosnan gave a cool performance.
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
Good flick, "The Tailor of Panama"!Just saw it and found it to be really ejoyable. With its complicated political script and all those great characters, the movie accomplishes its goals. Also loved that music!!!!
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Hey guys!At last I had the chance to see this one and I must say I was P-L-E-A-S-E-D. It's so much fun!! I didn't know what to expect, so a light comedy/thriller was more than enough to please me. The plot is so much fun, that I couldn't believe it. And Brosnan is simply cool. A great movie...
But what is it really? A parody? What's the idea? It's an original idea but it does leave you a bit confused. Am I right?
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
I guess it's kind of a political satire in some way. It's funny and exciting. It definitely has a rare feel to it. But it works!And that music.....
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Yeah you're right Moe, that score is definitely wonderful and suits the film perfectly well!Leave a comment
George wrote at 6/22/2002:
I've always thought Pierce Brosnan can be a great actor. He's been in many different roles but he's never actually been able to proove how great he can be. I hope this movie somehow shows a little more of his capabilities. Being next to Geoffrey Rush must not be easy. Let's hope the best for both of them!