Inside Man Review [2]
Posted by Matthew Craggs on 03.29.2006
Not your average heist picture
Cast
Denzel Washington – Keith Frazier
Clive Owen – Dalton Russell
Jodie Foster – Madeline White
Christopher Plummer – Arthur Case
Willem Dafoe – John Darius
Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment present A Spike Lee Joint. Written by Russell Gewirtz. Directed by Spike Lee. Rated R for language and some violent images. Runtime 129 minutes.
You know, there are a lot of things you have to work around to enjoy Spike Lee's latest film. They aren't necessarily fundamental flaws, but if you're not careful they can take you out of the picture. They are more like goofs than plot holes.
For example, take Jodie Foster. When Arthur Case's (Christopher Plummer) very first bank is robbed she is called in to retrieve the contents of his personal safe deposit box. We are never quite told who she is, or what she does. All we know is that she has a 30 inch Apple computer monitor, is helping Osama Bin Laden's nephew legally enter the country, and has more influence on people that matter in New York than anyone. Her character exists to help reveal the specific plot points when necessary and look good in a suit.
Then there is Christopher Plummer as Arthur Case. His back story is vital to the plot, and that back story requires us to believe that he was a mover and shaker in the business world during World War two. According to the Internet Movie Database Plummer was born in 1929, which would make him just a young lad during those times. He also looks much too well for 76 for us to believe he is any older, even if he hobbles around on a cane.
There is a sequence where Clive Owen, the mastermind behind the bank robbery, plays a Grand Theft Auto type of game on young hostage's portable game system. He is taken aback by the violence in the game and the child's fascination with it. The sequence is a break from the narrative and stands alone. It is hard not to groan, even if you agree with the message about such games, because you know it is coming. Besides, it's hard to take a social commentary detour when you want to know why the bank is being robbed and how they are going to get out of it.
Finally, there is a self made video where Clive Owen addresses the camera. It begins both the trailer and the film itself. By the end of the film we know the story behind its creation, but we never quite learn who sees the video (except us) and why it was created. At least, if we do, I didn't catch on.
But besides looming questions like this Inside Man is a good movie. A very, very good movie.
It starts off like any bank robbery movie. Clive Owen is Dalton Russell, the leader of a group of thief's attempting to knock off a bank. Or so it seems. Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) is the cop in charge of negotiations. He lives in a cramped apartment with his girlfriend, who is pressuring him for marriage, and her criminal brother who just loves that a cop is sleeping with his sister. That's where the fill-in-the-blanks game stops.
The plot is very involved and includes twists and turns, so it is difficult to tell you more without spoiling something. But I can pass on some of the good questions that will pop up when you see the picture. Why are they taking the time with the money? Who is Dalaton Russell? What is the deal with Arthur Case? What is going to happen next? How will they get out of it? How will they get out of it!? My Lord, tell me how this is going to end!? I need to know, good Lord, tell me now!?
Inside Man will leave you scratching your head in a bad way, but it is excusable because the script is so heavy and intricate that more often than not it will leave you scratching your head in a good way. Until the end, of course, when we are treated to a series of satisfying payoffs.
Filled with great performances by Washington and Owen, a wonderful, but complicated, script, and an "as expected" grand treatment of New York City by Spike Lee (the way he frames certain parts of the building with close ups is interesting), Inside Man makes up for any shortcomings.
The 411: Inside Man is not your average bank heist picture. For the sake of saving relevant plot points, all you need to know is that the setup is exciting, the negotiations are enthralling as Denzel Washington feels Clive Owen out, and the payoff is oh-so-good.
