The Tailor of Panama

REVIEW
Just as John le Carré is not your typical writer of spy tales, The Tailor of Panama, based on his novel and co-adapted by the author, is not your typical le Carré espionage tale. Sophisticated with more wit than one would expect, this disarming story of an expatriate tailor and a disgraced agent in search of redemption makes for a fanciful, polished excursion into the back alleys and back rooms of espionage's players and wannabes. In a smashing turn, Rush is Harry Pendel, a tailor to Panama's political bigwigs. Harry is recruited by British agent Andy Osnard (Brosnan, who revels in his smart-ass antihero) to keep an ear open for news about the current administration. Things get a litle out of control, however, when Harry begins to fabricate stories to stay on the payroll and placate the ambitious, relentless Andy. Director Boorman's canny eye for location shooting (captured beautifully by cinematographer Philippe Rousselot) and detail is served well, here, as Panama itself becomes an important character to a complex piece immersed in culture and intrigue.