The Tailor of Panama

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The Tailor of Panama

R

2001

1h 49m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

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117 Reviews

46%

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10,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Jul 15, 2023

The premise still provides some fun, but only Le Carre fans with tin ears and clouded eyes will fail to note the film's sour tone, crude performances and drab look.

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Feb 7, 2023

Boorman wants to turn the novel’s rueful satire into something sharp and sweaty, but the tone veers all over the place, and the plot feels like reckless fantasy.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Boorman has crafted a witty, classy and richly enjoyable morality play, which skewers the mercenary self-interest behind Anglo-American imperialism almost as an afterthought.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 14, 2022

2.5/4

Smart and challenging though it may be at times, The Tailor of Panama remains fragmented in unsatisfying ways.

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Sep 11, 2014

6/10

Brosnan... completely alters the tone of the movie with every scene he's in, bringing a level of smarminess that makes it far more interesting than just a bureaucratic spy thriller

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jan 18, 2013

B

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Ma'ark T

@RT57514104 Oct 23, 2026

With such an inviting cast, The Tailor of Panama was a disappointing watch. It didn't get the tone right; some of the acting was all over the place (Geoffrey Rush was a bit over the top), and it just hasn't aged well. It was entertaining enough that I don't regret watching it.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 5, 2026

The Tailor of Panama is a 3.5 star Movie!

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peter M

@OhPedro Sep 5, 2026

A very poor production of a Le Carre story [I know he was involved in the screenplay too]. The main problem is Brosnan's appalling acting, his vulgarity in this role... bit like he was trying to be anti-Bond. Jamie Lee Curtis is wasted. Rush is excellent, the only one worth watching in this travesty. The music is great though.

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Sep 4, 2026

To fully appreciate this spy thriller about false identities, you need to bear in mind that the style is somewhat reminiscent of Hitchcock. As a viewer, you need a great deal of patience, but somehow it doesn’t disappoint. A bit of useless trivia: the cast includes Daniel Radcliffe, before he stepped into Harry Potter’s shoes.

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Philswif P

@RT45220437 Jul 14, 2025

The film definitely isn't the best Le Carre film adaptation, but it's pretty good if you ever want to see Pierce Brosnan as the spy villain.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 2, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 49 minutes. Rated R for Strong Sexuality, Language, and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John Boorman

Director

Pierce Brosnan

Andy Osnard

Geoffrey Rush

Harry Pendel

Jamie Lee Curtis

Louisa Pendel

Brendan Gleeson

Mickie Abraxas

Catherine McCormack

Francesca

The Tailor of Panama: Official Clip - What Happened to Her Face?

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The Tailor of Panama: Official Clip - Jamie Lee Curtis Confronts Geoffrey Rush

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Synopsis

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.

Director: John Boorman
Producer: John Boorman
Screenwriter: John Boorman, Andrew Davies, John le Carré, John le Carré
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Merlin Films, Columbia Pictures
Rating: R (Strong Sexuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 30, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.5M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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