Inside Man (2006)

Take me to the inside, man

So you think this is a heist movie or just a normal crime flick. You are so wrong.

Everything points towards a bank robbery. 4 robbers dress as painters, a bank and many hostages. The gang leader is the charismatic Clive Owen (a very intense actor, Ms Lucky would certainly agree). As Dalton Russell, Mr Owen is his usual self. Brooding, sexy and is simply oozing with confidence. His prologue of the film, narrated in a monotonous manner (and you thought monotonous is not sexy!) simply emits coolness. Check this classic line and imagine it spoken in a deep monotonous manner:"My name is Dalton Russell. Pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully and I never repeat myself. " Plus imagine Clive Owen shooting his mouth off while staring straight in your eyes. Even though he appears in most of the scene being masked. Girls, prepare to be blown away.

Ok, enough of Mr Owen. ( I know i sound so gay) Back to the robbery. The band of "Steves" (you will understand after watching) is in total control. They demand the usual stuff from the cops: a getway bus and a plane etc. And as usual, a bullshitter ( negotiator) is being sent. Insert Denzel Washington. He plays Detective Keith Frazier, a negotiator with problems of his own. After a few rounds of negotiation with Dalton, he realises that this case is more than what it seems. It gets more complicated when Ms. White (Jodie Foster) is being called in. Ms White is a 'fixer' of some sort and can promise Det. Frazier a pay raise and a promotion to a top notch detective. But, they are only applicable if she can go into the bank and strikes a compromise with Dalton. What compromise i will not say. I don't like to be a spoiler.

Spike Lee directs this flick and you can expect some pot shots on racism, government issues and sexism. Check out the scene when a Sikh is being caught. The dialogue is superb. There are no cheesy one- liners. Perhaps its because they way the leading actors talk is simply so engaging. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. Not to mention the interrogation scenes where Denzel Washington is at his best. However the bad part is that most of the vulgarities are blanked out. Thats kind of annoying. Why censor when it is obviously an adult show? Only god knows. However do pay attention to the words of Dalton Russell carefully because they hold the key. As Dalton mentions, the why of the robbery is not half as interesting as the how.

(4.5/5)

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