The film centers around Andy Osnard (played by Pierce Brosnan), a British intelligence officer who is reassigned to Panama after a scandal involving sexual misconduct with a diplomat’s wife. Osnard is tasked with gathering intelligence on the political situation in Panama following the turnover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control.
In Panama City, Osnard meets Harry Pendel (played by Geoffrey Rush), an English expatriate and tailor who runs a successful bespoke tailor shop. Pendel is well-connected in Panamanian society and boasts a prestigious clientele, including government officials and diplomats.
Osnard sees an opportunity to exploit Pendel’s connections and recruits him as a spy, convincing him to fabricate intelligence reports to send back to British intelligence. Pendel, who is desperate to protect his secrets and maintain his reputation, reluctantly agrees to Osnard’s proposition.
As Pendel begins feeding false information to Osnard, their fabricated reports spark international intrigue and political unrest. The false intelligence implicates prominent Panamanian figures, including President-elect Pedro Joaquín Noriega (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), in illegal activities and corruption.
Meanwhile, Pendel’s web of lies begins to unravel as his fabricated stories come back to haunt him. His wife, Louisa (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), grows suspicious of his secretive behavior, and his past comes back to haunt him when an old acquaintance from England resurfaces.
In a climactic and suspenseful finale, Osnard’s machinations lead to a violent coup attempt in Panama, and Pendel finds himself caught in the crossfire. As chaos erupts in the streets, Pendel must confront the consequences of his actions and decide where his loyalties truly lie.
In the end, Pendel manages to escape Panama and return to England with his family, leaving behind the turmoil and violence of Panama. Osnard is exposed as a manipulative and corrupt spy and is forced to flee the country to avoid prosecution.
“The Tailor of Panama” is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores themes of espionage, betrayal, and political intrigue. Through its complex characters, intricate plot twists, and suspenseful storytelling, the film offers a captivating glimpse into the shadowy world of international espionage and the consequences of deception and manipulation.