The name Pierce Brosnan is synonymous with James Bond now, wouldn't you say ol' chap? So when I heard that Brosnan was doing a movie as another British agent I thought it would be along the same lines but I couldn't be more wrong. This was one of the few movies that I did not know anything about before I went but I have to say that I was impressed and amused with what I saw.
The Tailor of Panama is about a British agent, Andy Osnard (Brosnan) that fouls up his previous mission so badly (Brosnan fouling up?? Is that possible?) that his boss decides to send him to the backwoods of international espionage, Panama. What could possibly go wrong in Panama? There hasn't been anything of any international significance in years
until Osnard shows up. Unimpressed with being sent to Panama, Osnard decides to create something of his own by finding himself someone of British background that is fairly well placed in the upper echelons of Panamanian society. The unfortunate chap to cross paths with Osnard is a tailor by the name of Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush). Having found himself a plump target, Osnard begins to pick this gentleman for information and what ensues is an intricate story full of deception, blackmail and skullduggery.
You're probably thinking right about now that this doesn't sound like the suave, controlled characters that Brosnan has played in the past. And you're right although you still do see some of that suave demure that he exudes but this time with a bit of a mischievous twinkle in his eye. This movie couldn't be pulled off without a strong counterpart for Brosnan's character and Rush does not disappoint. I've seen Rush in other movies (Shakespeare in Love) and he is definitely a talented actor. In fact, you could probably argue that he's more integral to this movie than Brosnan is and you wouldn't be far off. Rush plays his character so well that at times you can't help but feel sorry for the predicament he's in and Brosnan plays his character so different from 007 that it's just a pleasure to watch.
If you're expecting stunning explosions and incredible action sequences, you're not going to find them here. This movie is about scheming, planning and manipulation. What a character says is of utmost importance, which means that you have to pay attention. This could be a weakness of this movie too however. If you see Brosnan as the main bill and you're expecting an action filled movie you're going to be disappointed. The dialogue is intricate and what someone says is not always what they mean and this could turn off some viewers if they have to pay that much attention.
I've never been a big fan of Jamie Lee Curtis' but she doesn't do a poor job here but then again she doesn't do a good job either. It just seems like a job to her and she does it. The ending scene with Rush and Curtis doesn't seem believable considering all that has happened up to that point and it did take a bit away from the overall movie.
Overall, the movie was pretty good. It's probably safe to say that this movie isn't going to do huge numbers but for those who do go see it and realize that it's an intellectual thriller, you will enjoy it.
