Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- darkly comic
- cynical
- sardonic
- political thriller night
- spy movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film to be a smart, darkly satirical espionage thriller elevated by exuberant performances from Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry Pendel invents increasingly consequential intelligence for Andy Osnard, while Osnard exploits those fabrications for his own agenda.
The film turns British intelligence maneuvering, Panamanian power struggles, and media-fueled paranoia into cynical comedy.
Harry's Savile Row credentials and respectable tailor persona conceal his ex-con past and fraudulent business origins.
Andy pressures Harry to produce valuable intelligence and then uses the canal rumor to advance his personal goals within the service.
Films like The Tailor of Panama, and why
Our Kind of Traitor
darkly comic espionage, morally compromised intelligence agents, and political intrigue
Burn After Reading
satirical spycraft, cynical institutions, and charismatic deception
The Constant Gardener
geopolitical suspense, corrupt power structures, and morally ambiguous protagonists
The Russia House
stylish international espionage with betrayal, manipulation, and sardonic humor
Movie Details
- Director
- John Boorman
- Release Date
- 2001-02-11
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (571)
Cast
- Pierce Brosnan
- Geoffrey Rush
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Leonor Varela
- Brendan Gleeson
- Harold Pinter
- Catherine McCormack
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Lola Boorman
- David Hayman
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Tailor of Panama about?
- A disgraced British agent coerces a debt-ridden Panamanian tailor into inventing intelligence that could destabilize an entire country.
- What is The Tailor of Panama like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Tailor of Panama as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Tailor of Panama violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Tailor of Panama as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Tailor of Panama?
- Critics generally found the film to be a smart, darkly satirical espionage thriller elevated by exuberant performances from Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush.
- Which films are like The Tailor of Panama?
- Films with a similar feel include Our Kind of Traitor, Burn After Reading, The Constant Gardener, and The Russia House.
- How long is The Tailor of Panama?
- The Tailor of Panama runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Tailor of Panama?
- In United States, The Tailor of Panama is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
