is in for a surprise. The expectation isn't out of the question, considering
the lead character of Pierce Brosnan and the billing of "spy movie".
However, Brosnan's character Andy Osnard is far from a Bond clone. He is an
opportunist and a user - someone without a conscience who consistently looks
out only for number one, and this allows The Tailor of Panama to offer a lot
more in terms of plot and character than all of the 007 outings put together.
As a result of scandalous behavior, Andy Osnard is exiled from the home
offices of MI6 to the nether regions of Panama, described as a "nasty web of
money laundering, drug trafficking and corruption". Once there Andy gets to
work trying to unearth some big secret that will get London's attention. He
chooses as his informant an unassuming tailor (Geoffrey Rush) with a dark,
secret past. Harry Pendel is a nice, meek man with an adoring wife (Jamie
Lee Curtis), who has a flair for telling tall tales to the bourgeoisie he
services in his shop. Harry has also made some rather poor investment
decisions. Therein enters Andy offering redemption and $50,000 to save Harry
the embarassment of having the bank call in his loans. Soon, Harry is
spinning a fiction for Andy to keep the money flowing, and Andy is eating it
up, because it fuels his own agenda.
The screenplay for The Tailor of Panama is based on the novel by John Le
Care. It is a complex and devious affair that leaves the audience wondering
who is using whom and who really knows what. Some of the characters are a
lot smarter than they initially appear to be, while other are much less so.
Casting Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush as the lead characters is
intriguing, since both characters are selected counter to their 'types'.
Brosnan's "Bond-fans" will not appreciate his callow, amoral, anti-hero role.
For his part, Brosnan has no trouble handling Andy's dubious morals and adds a
complexity to the role that any other actor may not have been able to impart.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Rush is normally associated with larger-than-life
personalities (Shine, Quills), and he offers a low-key portrayal of Harry.
Harry is the timid man who is tempted by the devil, then foolishly thinks he
can cheat his way out of the pact. The supporting cast is lacking in depth
and character. Jamie Lee Curtis is shunted into the wilted, unexcitable and
unexciting role of Harry's wife Louisa. Jamie Lee has been offered better
chances to show her acting ability in Voicestream commercials.
Ex-revolutionary Mickie (Brendan Gleeson) and Harry's office manager Marta
(Leonor Varela) present a credible acting performance, but again their
characters aren't permitted to develop a full, rich depth that they need.
The Tailor of Panama is not an action thriller, those expecting shoot-outs,
car chases and electronic gadgetry will be disappointed. This is not a James
Bond movie. Instead, this is plot-centered movie that demands that the
audience think rather than sit passively and watch. Overall, the movie is an
enjoyable theater going experience that will excite those who appreciate a
complex plot with character development and although the movie is a serious
going affair, it manages to make several comedetic pot shots at the American
military, diplomatic offices and the Panamanian state of affairs.
Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)