The Tailor of Panama

It's easy to see why Pierce Brosnan took on the role of the corrupt spy manipulating Central American instability in John Boorman's adaptation of John Le Carré's best-selling thriller. Brosnan is perfect as Andy Osnard, the duplicitous, predatory MI6 agent--a much darker spook than James Bond, and infinitely more interesting as a character. Geoffrey Rush is equally awesome as his weasely milquetoast informer, a tailor to Panamanian fat cats whose starving ego makes him easy to blackmail and manipulate. Enveloping the viewer in the pulpy details of a murky world of guile and Machiavellian counterintelligence, as Brosnan (intentionally) and Rush (inadvertently) fabricate a guerilla uprising that brings in nervous world powers, the film's brilliance is blunted by a choppy establishing act and a contrived, toothless finale. But in between those opening and closing curtains is a seething, intelligent, magnificently crafted thriller (peppered with some delicious dark comedy) good enough for you to overlook--although not forgive--the film's obtrusive shortcomings. Recommended. (R. Blackwelder)