7. INSIDE MAN
(Photo and poster: Universal Pictures)
By Omar P.L. Moore/The
Popcorn Reel
Spike Lee's film
dazzles, rivets and percolates with dynamic performances from Denzel Washington,
Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer and especially Clive Owen, as a bank robber
who doesn't repeat things. Every word he speaks is spoken for a singular
reason. Every move he makes is calculated. He proves to be one step
ahead of New York City Police detective Keith Frazier (Washington) and two steps
ahead of everyone else, including the audience. Frazier, who has demons of
his own, has to find out how to stop Owen's character Dalton Russell and his
band of cohorts from doing any further damage at a downtown Manhattan bank.
Riddles, mysteries, red herrings, surprises, suspense and intelligent drama are
packed into this splendid film, courtesy of director Lee and most impressively
the screenplay of Russell Gewirtz, his first. Even with references to and
influences of the film "Dog Day Afternoon", this is one of the most original
police thrillers in several years. Well-crafted with another sterling
music score from Terence Blanchard, "Inside Man" combines Mr. Lee's indelible
trademarks of passion, provocation and power with the constraints of
conventional Hollywood formula -- and both thrive wondrously. Produced by
Brian Grazer, a sequel is already being discussed, with Mr. Lee expected to
direct.
The PopcornReel.com film
review
of "Inside Man" first appeared on March 25, 2006.