The Tailor of Panama
The Tailor of Panama ★★★½ 2000 (R)
British spy Andrew Osnard (Brosnan) threatens to expose the shady past of society tailor Harry Pendel (Rush) unless Harry passes on information about the political situation in Panama. But since Harry doesn't really know anything, he just makes up plausible lies. Le Carre and Boorman create a smart, cynical film from Le Carre's 1996 novel, utilizing Brosnan to treak his famous alter-ego and expose the corruption of post-Cold War espionage and Western foreign affairs. Well-written, with believable characterizations and subtle, consistent plotting, and as an added bonus, the performances match the high standards of the writing. 109m/C VHS, DVD . US IR Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine McCormack, Leonor Varela, Harold Pinter, Daniel Radcliffe, David Hayman, Mark Margolis, Martin Ferrero, John Fortune; D: John Boorman; W: John Boorman, Andrew Davies, John Le Carre; C: Philippe Rousselot; M: Shaun Davey.