Product: Tailor of Panama [VHS] (2001)
Rating: 3.0
THE TAILOR OF PANAMA
This Film is more likely to appeal to curious Le Carre and James Bond afficienadoes rather than the casual Cinema goer. For a start Pierce Brosnan plays very much against type, anyone expecting James Bond is in for a shock (Brosnan swears and is very lewd)but for the actor and the Director(Boorman)this is a treat.However the film is totally true to Le Carre's book,if anything Brosnan is more acceptable than the character in the book.Geoffrey Rush is good as Harry Pendal,the tailor of the title,who is also an ex-con and Osnard's informant.The story hinges on Pendal's fabrication of Intelligence for Osnard,and equally Osnard's willingness to accept it-despite the lack of corroboration.Both characters are equally immoral.However the real scene stealer in this film is Brendan Gleeson whose character is the burnt-out former anti-Noriega rebel.I enjoyed the film,though I am a Le Carre and Brosnan/Bond fan,and also played the DVD version with Director's Commentary.If you are not a Le Carre/Bond fan I would suggest instead Brosnan in 'The Thomas Crown Affair' instead with Rene Russo and Dennis O'Leary.