Inside Man (2006)
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Review Date: April 30, 2006
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: Russell Gewirtz
Producers: Brian Grazer
Actors:
Denzel Washington as Frazier Jodie Foster as Madeleine Clive Owen as Dalton |
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Plot:
A New York City bank robbery quickly turns into a hostage negotiation situation with the bad guys forcing everyone inside the bank to dress like them (with masks), while the good guy negotiator outside, tries to figure out what exactly the baddies are up to. “This ain’t no bank robbery!” says the negotiator, but it definitely is a film about bank robbery, so slap on your seatbelts and watch and listen closely.
Critique:
The only reason that I’m not scoring this film a little higher is because I didn’t “get it” entirely. Pieces of the puzzle were left on the side of my table, and for that reason, I can’t score the movie a better grade, since my little brain wasn’t able to put it altogether cleanly—or, the film simply had plot holes. That’s not to say that it isn’t a very good movie, because it certainly is, but I’d like to watch it again someday so that I can totally understand all of its nooks and crannies, so that I can judge it according to the whole picture, coherent from start to finish. As I sit here now though, it’s still an extremely well directed film, with what-seems-to-be yet another bank robbery plotline, but one that slowly but surely turns into something a lot deeper and cooler than that. In fact, even after the bank robbery segment of the film is finished, another half and hour or so, is dedicated to the unraveling of it all. All of the actors come to play with Denzel Washington and Chiwetel Ejiofor doing their part to legitimize themselves as do-good coppers, while folks like Christopher Plummer and Jodie Foster straddle the line between the light and the dark. I also dug Clive Owen’s performance as the man behind the robbery, but at the same time, I can’t say that any of them truly provided the film with an unforgettable performance. They did their jobs and they did it well…but that’s about that on that (although poor Willem Dafoe was kinda wasted).
Director Spike Lee also makes sure to spice the joint up with his unique blend of camera shots, including an ode to Harvey Keitel’s camera-walk from Scorsese’s MEAN STREETS, humor, with one scene featuring a Sikh being mistaken for an Arab riding that line of racism and funny (“Give me back my turban!”), as well as the use of flash-forwards, with a bunch of sequences that take place later on in the film, inserted throughout the action, just to give you a sense of where it’s all headed. I’m not sure what the intent of the foreign music was to start the film off, but I appreciated the homages to the world as it stands today, including the terrorists angle and even a shot at videogame violence (Note how the characters in the game were both black). One of the things that makes this film click as it does, is its ability to keep you guessing throughout and you can’t really ask for much more from a mystery thriller, especially one drenched in such a tired genre. The film isn’t afraid to laugh at itself either, as one of the characters says to the other “That’s not how it works, didn’t you see DOG DAY AFTERNOON?”—a peak film of the genre. It also starts off with a bang and gets right into the bank with guns a smokin’ and masks all around. I enjoyed this film from beginning to end and was never really bored at any point. It kept me guessing and I appreciated all of its characters and looked forward to what was going to happen to them next. Did the film blow my nuts off? Certainly not, but it entertained me on this stinky afternoon and many times, that’s exactly what one looks for from a motion picture crime drama. Job well done.
Director Spike Lee also makes sure to spice the joint up with his unique blend of camera shots, including an ode to Harvey Keitel’s camera-walk from Scorsese’s MEAN STREETS, humor, with one scene featuring a Sikh being mistaken for an Arab riding that line of racism and funny (“Give me back my turban!”), as well as the use of flash-forwards, with a bunch of sequences that take place later on in the film, inserted throughout the action, just to give you a sense of where it’s all headed. I’m not sure what the intent of the foreign music was to start the film off, but I appreciated the homages to the world as it stands today, including the terrorists angle and even a shot at videogame violence (Note how the characters in the game were both black). One of the things that makes this film click as it does, is its ability to keep you guessing throughout and you can’t really ask for much more from a mystery thriller, especially one drenched in such a tired genre. The film isn’t afraid to laugh at itself either, as one of the characters says to the other “That’s not how it works, didn’t you see DOG DAY AFTERNOON?”—a peak film of the genre. It also starts off with a bang and gets right into the bank with guns a smokin’ and masks all around. I enjoyed this film from beginning to end and was never really bored at any point. It kept me guessing and I appreciated all of its characters and looked forward to what was going to happen to them next. Did the film blow my nuts off? Certainly not, but it entertained me on this stinky afternoon and many times, that’s exactly what one looks for from a motion picture crime drama. Job well done.
(c) 2013 Berge Garabedian
Better than Bad
But the mystery doesn't just revolve around the characters, it also surrounds the bank robbery. While the movie does reveal what is going on with the robbers and their hostages, their motive isn't exactly clear. They let the cops outside tag along for the most part, but they also don't let them get too close. Allow for some tense scenes involving the robbers showing the hostages who's boss and a great scene between Clive Owen and Denzel Washington and the movie just oozes cool.
I wouldn't exactly call this movie a thriller, but it's a very well made psychological drama. Props to Spike Lee and the cast for delivering a movie that doesn't give away anything until the perfect moment. While the ending might be a little Spielberg-ian, a little too long and has a distant feel to it as far as the rest is concerned, the movie is never boring. Its characters are perfectly detailed and the performances are great. It's a good time at the movies.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Denzel Washington was, as usual, charismatic and likeable. Chiwetel Ejiofor, was once again terrific in one of his unexpected roles, and as usual he'll be highly underrated. Jodie Foster was not as major a character in the movie as the credits and promotions seemed to indicate, but
Denzel Washington was, as usual, charismatic and likeable. Chiwetel Ejiofor, was once again terrific in one of his unexpected roles, and as usual he'll be highly underrated. Jodie Foster was not as major a character in the movie as the credits and promotions seemed to indicate, but she was great nonetheless. Christopher Plummer was great, also. BUT WHAT ABOUT WILLEM DAFOE?? He's a major character in the movie, and his name is way down on the list?? Grrr...so unfair. I've not enjoyed Clive Owen quite as much as I did here; he's not doing any particular departure from his usual dish of "smart and very, very serious," but he has a bit more finesse to it this time around; hopefully someday he'll drop the "professional" and go more for "natural" in terms of his acting; maybe sometime he'll have a role which is really "the big one" for him, which will really win me over (like Eric Bana's role as Avner in Munich - hated him before then, now I straight-up love him).
And overall, the movie was very impressive; excellent use of camera and lighting, some great plot devices and twists. Spike Lee definately has dished out a treat here. Now if you haven't already, do yourself a favor and go see it.