Teaming up actors like Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofor is a recipe for greatness, as proven in the new movie “Inside Man.”
Though the writer of the movie, Russell Gewirtz, never wrote a screenplay before “Inside Man,” veteran director, Spike Lee, did an awesome job relaying Gerwirtz’s written work into a performance work of art.
Beginning with a calm, yet intense, narrative piece by character Dalton Russell, I just knew that this movie would be filled with mystery and suspense.
Set in Manhattan, N.Y., at a cornerstone Wall Street branch of a worldwide financial institution, the bank is soon ambushed by the four robbers.
NYPD hostage negotiators, detectives Keith Frazier (Washington) and Bill Mitchell (Ejiofor), are called to the screen and soon realize that the robbers are in control, with Russell (Owen) playing the part of the puppet master.
Foster’s character, Madeline White, and bank owner, Arthur Case, reveal to Frazier that this is not your ordinary bank robbery and there must be other reasons why the robbers are there.
The movie has great comedy that keeps the audience interested aside from the suspense and constant “what’s going on” question asked by the viewer.Just when you think you know what is going on, you are hit with some type of unsuspecting outcome.
You are never certain on how the movie will end until it is actually over. There are no predictable endings, phases or common story lines.
The movie always pointed out racial issues without making it seem like a lecture, adding comedy to get the point across.
A signature move that Spike Lee added, the one where it looks like the actor is moving but he is really standing still, showed just why they chose Lee to direct, adding that extra flare to the movie.
One special aspect of the movie is how the human element in all of the characters is shown. No one was portrayed as too good to do wrong. Everyone had positive and negative aspects to his or her character.
Overall, “Inside Man” deserves an A.
This is a movie that you can go see with anyone. Whether you go with your friends, family members or your significant other, “Inside Man” has something about it that is appealing to everyone.
After leaving the movie theatre you are left thinking one thing, just like Russell states in the beginning of the movie, “It was the perfect bank robbery.”
Contact Katrelle Simmons at famuanlifestyles@hotmail.com