Der Schneider von Panama

It's too bad about the low IMDB rating for this movie. It is a deft blend of James Bond, Casablanca and Dr Strangelove which directs its often vicious tongue-in-cheek barbs at both the intelligence industry and the spy films which glorify it. While it can be enjoyed "straight", that is as a story in its own right, I think those who miss its satirical structure (the film doesn't directly let the audience in on the joke - it must be inferred), miss half the fun.

There are no heroes or villains in "The Tailor of Panama," only exploiters and victims. Some may be turned off by the cynical tone of the film. For example, Andy Osnard, the British secret agent, played by Pierce Brosnan (who else?) is a scheming sociopath, not a patriotic hero. The title character, Harry Pendel, played by Geoffrey Rush, is a liar and an ex-convict. Don't be put off by these flawed characters, though. In the great tradition of John LeCarre's characters, these devious, selfish people are endlessly interesting -- and believable. I suspect that those who did not like this film reacted as they did because of a lack of heroes and because the outcome of the machinations it depicts are sadly grotesque. Nevertheless, this is the thinking person's spy movie. Highly recommended, 8 out of 10.

The Tailor of Panama is an atmospheric, well-crafted thriller in which the actors have an infectiously good time with their characters, especially an excellent and hilarious Pierce Brosnan as Andy Osnard, a roguish British spy who is sent to Panama (superbly described as "Casablanca without heroes") to keep out of trouble and get back his government's trust. However, even in post-Cold War diplomacy you have to play the game and earn your wage. The diplomats still have to listen to their sources. Osnard selects British ex-pat tailor Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush) to be his information source, using Pendel's hidden past to get his cooperation. Pendel is well-placed as his wife works for the director of the Panama Canal Company, but he also has friends formerly in the anti-Noriega ranks. Osnard passes on what Pendel tells him to his superiors. These two characters start to spin a web of exciting misinformation that they start to revel in, but this has consequences which escalate beyond their control. The background of Panama, from its "laundromats" (banks) to its seedy nightclubs, suits the characters and the story perfectly, and gives the film an atmospheric richness of the type director Boorman excels in. It is a treat for those who love international political intrigue and who may have traveled or lived in such places. This is a thriller which relies not on hi-tech filmmaking gimmicks (and there are many opportunities to), but on characters interesting enough to follow all the way through the film. It has an old-fashioned feel, and an wry and mischievous humor. Some may see some implausibility in the final conseuences of Osnard's and Pendel's actions, but on the whole the shamless good time they have bring these (almost) anti-heroes to life is infectious. Great fun.

If you understand irony, this film should be a real riotous laugh straight through. It is possibly one of the most brilliant movies so far this millennium, outright disrespectful of the "spy" theme: Brosnan's degenerated, decadent b*****d spy Osnard is just the way one would picture James Bond in real life, had the latter not been so awfully loyal. Actually, Osnard is James Bond minus loyalty and with his self-confidence, decadence and sexism turned up a couple of notches. A brilliant character, brilliantly acted. Another fantastic actor is the amazing Geoffrey Rush in the role as the Tailor of Panama, Harry Pendel.

The story is absolutely fascinating, one of the most clever and witty stories to emerge in a long while - the Tailor of Panama reluctantly becomes a spy and conjures up non-existent government plots to sell the Panama Canal to the Chinese, which makes the English and the Americans (portrayed as a bunch of idiots with delusions of grandeur and as militaristic blow-hards with victory as the only goal) react aggressively.

It is important that one understands that this film is serious in one respect only: its comedy. Don't see this expecting to see a thrilling spy-movie. It isn't, though I find the scope of the film thrilling. It's more of a comedy, and if you can't see that when the American general with tears in his eyes blurts: "There is a star missing from the American flag!", then you're not really equipped for this kind of film. The reason I'm writing this is that some reviewers have found the movie to be silly... which is just what one would think if one didn't get it.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Sly references to James Bond and Casablanca aside, "The Tailor of Panama" solidly stands on its own merits.

Its quirky excesses(loopy appearances of imaginary characters and serendipitious plot development) may seem, in the beginning, a little out of place for a political spy thriller.

But it doesn't take very long for one to realise that this is NOT a political spy thriller per se. Its that rare gem of a movie where one can safely suspend one's disbelief and yet not lose touch with one's intelligence along the way(Hmmmm....).

With its tongue planted so firmly in cheek(i.e. atypical casting, a sexy double edged screenplay and 'surreal' sendups of American/ British diplomatic gamesplay), I quickly gave up figuring out what's going on and instead focused on what's going to happen. In layman speak, I "went with the flow".

Which is a good thing as I soon discovered this movie to be deliciously entertaining both for the audience as well as the actors involved(noticeably having their share of fun in the quirky performances).

This is the kind of show(sadly, not many of them around anymore)that demands your attention, but will reward you threefold if you are a willing participant.

Not wanting to sound condescending, this is not a great movie. But it is an intellectually entertaining one. Sadly, with the standards of present day popcorn fare degenerating to new depths with each passing pic, I dare to hope that one day, films like "The Tailor of Panama" will again resume its rightful place - as nothing more than just a top rate pop corn flick.

But that day may never come and by default, this show will now have to assume a pedigree normally reserved for greater films. A sad predicament indeed. But that films like these still get made at all is reason enough to hope and celebrate.

I would recommend for all true movie lovers out there to go see this show and be thankful(at least for that two hours or so) that we can temporarily forget bum-numbing stinkers like "Pearl Harbor" ever existed.

I rest my case.

Thank you and good night.