The Tailor of Panama

2001, Mystery & thriller, 1h 49m

117 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The Tailor of Panama is a smart, darkly satirical thriller with exuberant performances from Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Harry Pendel, a Cockney ex-con who has reinvented himself as a popular tailor to the rich and powerful of Panama, is famous for his storytelling as well as his suits -- but this time, his tales carry lethal repercussions. Preyed upon by ruthless, seductive British spy Osnard, Harry spins a yarn that inadvertently sets off a series of events to destroy everything he values most in life.
  • Rating:
    R (Strong Sexuality|Language|Violence)
  • Genre:
    Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Boorman
  • Producer:
    John Boorman
  • Writer:
    John Boorman, Andrew Davies, John le Carré, John le Carré
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $13.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Andy Osnard
Geoffrey Rush
Geoffrey Rush
Harry Pendel
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis
Louisa Pendel
Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson
Mickie Abraxas
Catherine McCormack
Catherine McCormack
Francesca
Leonor Varela
Leonor Varela
Marta
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter
Uncle Benny
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe
Mark Pendel
Lola Boorman
Lola Boorman
Sarah Pendel
David Hayman
David Hayman
Luxmore
Mark Margolis
Mark Margolis
Rafi Domingo
Martin Ferrero
Martin Ferrero
Teddy
John Fortune
John Fortune
Ambassador Maltby
John Boorman
John Boorman
Director
John Boorman
John Boorman
Screenwriter
Andrew Davies
Andrew Davies
Screenwriter
John le Carré
John le Carré
Writer
John le Carré
John le Carré
Screenwriter
John Boorman
John Boorman
Producer
John le Carré
John le Carré
Executive Producer
Kevan Barker
Kevan Barker
Co-Producer
Shaun Davey
Shaun Davey
Original Music
Philippe Rousselot
Philippe Rousselot
Cinematographer
Ron Davis
Ron Davis
Film Editing
Mary Gail Artz
Mary Gail Artz
Casting
Barbara Cohen
Barbara Cohen
Casting
Jina Jay
Jina Jay
Casting
Derek Wallace
Derek Wallace
Production Design
Sarah Hauldren
Sarah Hauldren
Art Director
Maeve Paterson
Maeve Paterson
Costume Design
Kevan Barker
Kevan Barker
Unit Production Manager
Tommy Gormley
Tommy Gormley
Assistant Director
Mark Auguste
Mark Auguste
Supervising Sound Editor
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News & Interviews for The Tailor of Panama

Pierce Brosnan’s 10 Best Movies
Pierce Brosnan’s 10 Best Movies
Critical Consensus: "Invincible," "Worms" Score; "Idlewild," "Beerfest" Mixed
Critical Consensus: "Invincible," "Worms" Score; "Idlewild," "Beerfest" Mixed
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Critic Reviews for The Tailor of Panama

All Critics (117) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (89) | Rotten (28)
Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture Full Review… Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Full Review… Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Full Review… Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Full Review… Eric Harrison Houston Chronicle Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Ellen MacKay Common Sense Media Full Review… Ron Wells Film Threat Full Review… Scott Nash Three Movie Buffs
View All Critic Reviews (117)

Audience Reviews for The Tailor of Panama

  • Jul 25, 2016
    Sometimes messy and a bit too implausible to be taken serious, this is not one of the best John le Carré adaptations, but still it has some good performances (Rush, Brosnan and Curtis) in an average spy story that most of the time manages to be pretty entertaining.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 06, 2012
    I haven't read a John le Carre nor do I need to in order to know how boring they are. "The Tailor of Panama" is as talkative as last year's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", but has a much quicker pace and more in terms of action. Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush play well off of each other, and overall, it's an entertaining film. Plus, the cinematography is marvelous.
    Super Reviewer
  • Apr 03, 2009
    The story of a man who tells a lie that grows and grows, and it's perfectly okay. Rush is the star while Brosnan plays a secret agent who sleeps around (insert your own joke). The pacing is great so it moves along nicely, but it's so flawlessly average that you'll have forgotten it the next day.
    Super Reviewer
  • Jan 13, 2009
    An intriguing tale of espionage and coercion in Central America. *<i>Geoffrey Rush never ceases to amaze me and his performance here is no exception</i>.
    Randy T Super Reviewer
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