Freaktana
A Major Disappointment
Quiet Muffin
This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Jemima
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
Python Hyena
The Tailor of Panama (2001): Dir: John Boorman / Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson: Geoffrey Rush is the tailor and he served a prison sentence for dealings involving the Canal. His job is to cover up until Pierce Brosnan shows up from the British Embassy forcing him to resurrect a past that he would rather forget existed. Directed by John Boorman who previously made the suspenseful Deliverance as well as the unsuspenseful flop The Exorcist 2: The Heretic. This ranks as one of his better films with its provocative themes but it still has narrative issues. We see Rush as an individual trying to do good and live out his life trying to forget his sins. This is a different role for Brosnan and he displays a vicious side that involves blackmail. Jamie Lee Curtis is well cast as Rush's wife who knows that something just isn't right but unfortunately the screenplay throws in a pointless scene where she is seduced by Brosnan. In smaller a role is Catherine McCormack but these roles are not as broad as they could be. Brendan Gleeson is another talent but underused as well. Action and thriller fans may be reluctant to approach this due to its pacing. It is a suspenseful film about skeletons in closets and the struggle to do right again. The good news is that some relationships can withstand anything and forgiveness finds a way of healing the scars of the past. Score: 6 ½ / 10
LeonLouisRicci
Successful in some Respects, Not so much in others, this Dark Satire on the Genre has Pierce Brosnan Showcasing a James Bond like British Spy who has Lost His Grace. The Name isn't "Bond", it's Osnard.Nothing about this MI6 Reject is Suave, Cool, or Charming in Any Way. He Bullies His way around Panama like a Rabid Dog that has No More Instincts. The Movie has Varying Tones of Violence and Sex, most are Lurid and Repulsive.The Script was Written by Acclaimed Spy Novelist John Le Carre from His Book. The Director is the Inconsistent John Boorman. The Film is Interesting and can Intrigue and Amuse if You let it, but some May Find it "in your face" and Anything but Subtle. It Works and then, it Doesn't. So the Overall Effectis Wanting but those Looking for something a bit Different in the Spy Genre will most Likely Enjoy its Edge and Forgive some Clumsiness. Worth a Watch to See Brosnan Riff On His James Bond Persona and there are Enough "out there" Scenes to Capture the Anti-Hollywood Cultists. But Mainstream Moviegoers and those Looking for more of the Same will Probably Not Appreciate the Messy Message in this Very Darkly Humored Display.
Avid Climber
The Tailor of Panama is, in term of international spying, the antithesis of the James Bond movies. The only similarities are the high stakes and the involvement of MI-6. Ironically the main role is played by a former Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan.In this flick, Brosnan is in a role quite different from his usual cast. Here, he's not likable, not even a little, and he plays it well. You might say he's still a scoundrel, but this time, bearing the full negative connotation. Geoffrey Rush is very good as the deluded tailor. Jamie Lee Curtis, in the minor role of his wife, is not shining at her best, but her performance is good.The premise of the movie is excellent, the story that supports almost as good, as is the scenario. You'll be swept in by the intrigue and the machinations, wondering how it will all end. The final unraveling is quite surprising.I recommend it, but do not expect a feel good film. It is not for everybody. It has no action, and you'll will face the unlikable and underhanded range of human endeavors. It is all deceit.
buiger
Very good, intelligent, funny and entertaining movie.Finally a screenplay worthy of being called that, some good dialog and excellent acting (both Rush as well as surprisingly, Brosnan). Brosnan is much more comfortable in this role than he ever was with James Bond. Here he is believable, charming and evil at the same time... On the downside, even though I am a big fan of hers, I have to admit that Jamie Lee Curtis was totally miscast as Rush's engineer wife, she doesn't even come close...It makes you wonder whether something similar to the plot in this film could really happen (or has already happened)...
