Inside Man

"My name is Dalton Russell. Pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully and I never repeat myself. I've told you my name; that's the "Who." The "Where" could be readily described as a prison cell, but there's a vast difference between being stuck in a tiny cell and being in prison. The "What" is easy. Recently I planned and set in motion events to execute the perfect bank robbery. That's also the "When." As for the "Why?" Beyond the obvious financial motivation, it's exceedingly simple: because I can. Which leaves us only with the "How." And therein, as The Bard would tell us, lies the rub." Our film begins with a narrative teaser explaining the conceit of the "two-hours traffic of our scene."

In New York City at one of the oldest elite banks near Wall Street, a group of bank robbers dressed as painters infiltrate and hold the clientele and staff hostage. The police dispatch a second string negotiator (Denzel Washington) and his partner (Chiwetel Ejiofor) when their primary is on vacation. Meanwhile, the owner of the bank (Christopher Plummer) hires a professional fixer (Jodie Foster) to make a deal with Dalton Russell (Clive Owen). As things heat up, the SWAT commander (Willem Dafoe) prepares to take the bank. In the aftermath, when the tear-gas clears, something is wrong: somehow the hostage-takers are nowhere to be seen. So, what really did happen?

The style is definitely intriguing...part narrative and slightly documentary. The coloring clearly conveys a different time. It's far less cinematic than the narrative in a very raw sort of record-keeping way. The editing and the story beats are clinical and efficient, but not without weight. The opening sequence alone was incredibly well directed and previews what the future holds for the audience.

The performances are all very solid, including the speaking extras. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Owen's mercurial character, Dalton Russell, his bi-polar cross from menace to mischief. Mr. Washington's Keith Frazier proved a powerful foe; so was Mr. Plummer's Arthur Case, two perfect matches against Mr Owen's Russell and each other. Each scene is incredibly comfortable to watch, with its wit, character and charisma. The actors' chemistry with each other interlocks the flesh of the story so smoothly, it adds so much realism that relating to the characters is not difficult.

In every hostage or terrorist story, there's a "why for" for the characters to answer. In our case, as Mr. Russell put's it, "all lies, all evil deeds stink. You can cover them up for a while, but they don't go away." Mr. Case's past is very sordid...and the delivery was well done. Leaked ever so slowly throughout the story allowing for the showdown against Mr. Case to become so much "sweeter."

The third act begins with a bang, literally, and things spiral out of control brilliantly and driving toward the end, finishing with a flourish. The writing is impeccable; the timing so well developed and executed, it's difficult to call the game before the coup de grace falls.

Comprehensively excellent!!

****

In: Denzel Washington

Out: Marcia Jean Kurtz

Coming Soon: Dog Day Afternoon