Tailor of Panama

The best thing about "THE TAILOR OF PANAMA" is its star, Pierce Brosnan. He's outstanding and worthy of an Oscar nomination for what he does here! For anyone expecting an action-like atmosphere of one of his James Bond films, they're certain to be disappointed! While "TAILOR" does deal with the spy world, its pace is intentionally slow and deliberate. There are no real physical stunts here, only mental ones. Based on Le Carre's novel, as with all his novels, the "spy" world is more realistic than in most films. When his characters fail to stay ahead of the game, they don't necessarily blow up following a massive underground shootout, yet their lives or the lives of their loved ones may meet with a demise every bit as painful. Brosnan plays Andy Osnard, a British agent whose disregard for authority and scandalous affairs have caused his higher ups to transfer him somewhere they expect him to stay out of trouble. His destination, Panama, at least on the surface, appears to have "some" significance for Britain, as it's not only home to the Panama Canal , but also to a small number of British citizens still reside there. Preferring to pay others to do his job, obtaining information about potential threats, Osnard selects a tailor to do his bidding. The tailor, Geoffrey Rush, has made a decent life for himself, wife and two children. Tailoring for the wealthy of Panama, he claims his family has a history connected to the best clothiers of London. Brosnan's character knows and exploits Rush's dark secret, that he learned his craft while doing time in a London jail, after committing arson. In "TAILOR OF PANAMA" we find that every character has a dark secret and hidden past, as well, as a hidden agenda! None of the characters are extremely likeable either, but we do feel a bit for Rush's character, as he appears to be the most exploited. As he begins to feed his new boss information, the audience begins to realize that some or "most" of his information may be fabricated, but, we also sense Brosnan's character isn't too concerned. Why? All these and other answers are realized by the film's ending. The story unfolds like a great chess game. One can't help but appreciate the mastery with which everything is played out. But, "watching" a chess game can be dull too, and "TAILOR OF PANAMA" certainly has a slow time getting started! COLUMBIA TRISTAR has provided a stunning transfer for this release! The correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio is intact with 16:9 enhancement. The color values are solid, and tend to be extremely vibrant. Fleshtones appear natural throughout! The contrast is also excellent, with deep blacks and grays in every instance. There is some minor edge enhancment, but not enough to distract from an otherwise superb image! The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is fine, although the surround mix is restrained. This is not one of the most aggressive 5.1 mixes to come from COLUMBIA TRISTAR. The surrounds are only utilized to enhance the score. There are some directional effects for the front soundstage, that are well utilized for both atmosphere and effect. But this is a "Talky" film, and not dependent on effects for the film to remain effective. COLUMBIA TRISTAR has made this a "special edition", and as such, has included a featurette and more! "THE PERFECT FIT: A CONVERSATION WITH PIERCE BROSNAN AND GEOFFREY RUSH" offers the duo explaining their roles, opinions of writer/director John Boorman, and more. Not entirely "fluff", it's worth viewing, and fans of the actors will appreciate their candor. An "Alternate Ending" has also been offered. While this reviewer wasn't too fond of the film's actual ending, she is now that she's seen the "alternative!" There's also an option to hear Boorman's commentary about this "alternate" ending. Boorman also provides an optional commentary. While it's great to hear someone so impassioned about the work, his insight may appear too technical at times for some, focusing on the mundane and set designs more than character development, and his style.