Tailor of Panama, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

In this light and rather offbeat spy adventure, Geoffrey Rush stars as Harry Pendel, the title character. The talented tailor is pressed into working for the British government by slick, renegade agent Andy Osnard (Pierce Brosnan). Andy wants Harry to report gossip from his famous Panamanian clients so the British can keep tabs on the Panama Canal, now owned by Panama. However, Harry begins to make up his own gossip about the famous canal, leading Andy to believe the Panamanians may sell the canal to the dreaded Chinese. This sets into motion events that can, seemingly, only end badly for all involved. Geoffrey Rush carries the proceedings with yet another fine and unique performance. And Brosnan sheds his Bond image as the oily Andy. A clever take on common spy stories, with some humorous dialogue and an eccentric character in Harry Pendel, THE TAILOR OF PANAMA may gain a following.

Since the entire story about the Canal changing ownership begins with a lie, the movie effectively shows, albeit in somewhat comedic form, the havoc one fib can cause. What begins as a simple way for Harry to make quick money, escalates into a worldwide crisis. However, in spite of promoting truthfulness, by showing the disastrous effects of a lie, the film’s liberal attitude toward promiscuous sexual activity yields negative images. Four instances of explicit sexual activity include nudity, graphic motion, or both. One lengthy scene in a brothel includes the television image of a pornographic movie while characters engage in similar action across the hallway. Frequent obscenities further soil the story, so THE TAILOR OF PANAMA cuts a tattered moral cloth.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232