The Tailor of Panama (2001)

A tailor living in Panama reluctantly becomes a spy for a British Agent.

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

John le Carré (novel), Andrew Davies (screenplay)

Stars:

Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierce Brosnan	...	Osnard
Geoffrey Rush	...	Harry
Jamie Lee Curtis	...	Louisa
Leonor Varela	...	Marta
Brendan Gleeson	...	Mickie Abraxas
Harold Pinter	...	Uncle Benny
Catherine McCormack	...	Francesca
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Mark
Lola Boorman	...	Sarah
David Hayman	...	Luxmore
Mark Margolis	...	Rafi Domingo
Martin Ferrero	...	Teddy
John Fortune	...	Maltby
Martin Savage	...	Stormont
Edgardo Molino	...	Juan-David

Storyline

John LeCarre's spy thriller is brought to the big screen. A British spy is banished to Panama after having an affair with an ambassador's mistress. Once there he makes connection with a local tailor with a criminal past and connections to all of the top political and gangster figures in Panama. The tailor also has a wife, who works for the canal administrator, and a huge debt. The spy's mission is to learn what the President intends to do with the Panama Canal, but he's really in business for himself, blackmailing the tailor into spinning a fantastic tale about the canal being sold to China and former mercenaries ready to topple the current government.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | watching tv | spy | panama | tailor | 

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Taglines:

A first-class thriller from John Boorman - director EXCALIBUR and DELIVERANCE.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Production Notes

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

30 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

El sastre de Panamá

Filming Locations:

Casco Viejo, San Felipe, Panama City, Panama

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,837,068, 1 April 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$13,729,742, 3 July 2004

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,278,720, 3 July 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Merlin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of two cinema movies, in which Daniel Radcliffe appeared, that were first released in 2001. The other being Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001).

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Goofs

In the high level intelligence briefing scene, the ribbons on General Dusenbaker's (Dylan Baker) uniform are displayed incorrectly.

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Quotes

[first lines]
MI.6 Handler: Panama.
Andrew 'Andy' Osnard: Panama?
MI.6 Handler: Best I could do Andrew. Under the circumstances, given your sins. They were baying for blood.

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Connections

References The World Is Not Enough (1999)

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Soundtracks

Mickie's Street
Written and Performed by Ventura Dríguez

User Reviews

Great performances, great story ...

In the present Fahrenheit 9/11 atmosphere on re-watching this film I find much to admire not due to its incendiary political comment but from the skill of its making and its continued relevance which is the sign of a film which, I hope, will endure.

Ignoring the politics, for a moment, there is a lot to appreciate in Boorman's quick editing, interplay of farce and tragedy and ability to sum up a very complex story with telling detail. He draws stunning performances out of his actors (apart from the ever annoying Jamie Lee Curtis). Brosnan shifts character bewilderingly but by the end his roguish charm has been fully shed to reveal the horror of the man beneath, making Geoffrey Rush's exploitation believable and pathetic.

This ranks, along with the Killing Fields and Salvador (I'm sure I've forgotten many other worthy examples), as one of my favourite angry anti-war, anti-interventionism films arguing that where the justifying intelligence isn't good enough the rich and powerful states do not have the right to interfere, at least unless their motivations are purer than self interest. On the other hand, it is a great human drama with the country which serves as its backdrop used to great effect to emphasise the human tragedies played out within. Watch and enjoy, but you may find the first 10-15 minutes difficult until you have settled with the style - definitely worth a second watching.