Review of Inside Man (2006) by Blake P — 17 May 2012

The police go crazy when it seems an ordinary bank robbery turns out to be a lot more complex than usual. The leader, Dalton Russell (Owen) has planned everything perfectly-- he disguises his team the exact same way as the hostages so the police can't kill anybody, he sets up "bugs" everywhere so the police can't get any information, and he keeps a calm tone so the cops can't trick him into saying anything.

Detective Keith Frazier (Washington), who is in charge of the case, does everything he can, but just as he starts getting close, the bank's owner (Plummer) brings in hostage negotiator Madeleine White (Foster), which gets in the way of everything.

"Inside Man" is simply a terrific thriller. Taut, suspenseful, and realistic, Spike Lee delivers a heist movie that is simply ten times smarter than an average film of the genre. The film is constantly exciting-- there's no wait for the action, that's how the film starts, and because each and every one of the characters are so compelling, even bits that aren't suspenseful are fun to watch.

With a sharp screenplay to put it even higher, "Inside Man" is realistic to the fullest extent, which comes to Lee's advantage. And the actors, all of whom are superb, are perfectly casted-- Christopher Plummer and William Dafoe provide ample support, but it's Denzel Washington, who plays the flawed cop terrifically, and Jodie Foster, who provides a game-changer to your average femme fatale, both light up the screen in every scene they're in-- and they just happen to be in the film quite a bit.

"Inside Man" is simply terrific. Though a bit overlong, the film overall is a satisfying experience.