Spike Lee's Inside Man concerns a bank robbery that isn't really one, in which a disgraced police detective (Denzel Washington) goes head to head with a mastermind (Clive Owen) with plenty of recognizable faces besides. Right away, the title creates suspicion and paranoia, and hostage/suspect interviews edited into the narrative helps the notion along. The solutions are pretty clever and never talk down to the audience. That this takes place in Lee's multi-ethnic New York adds another layer to this chess game. That and his documentary-style camera work grounds the film in the real world, and yet he allows himself some directorial flair which doesn't detract from the mood, but rather enhances it. Great music cues too. This one keeps you guessing and entertains all the way through. Loved it.
A heist thriller that's nowhere near as smart as it seems to think it is. When you're instructed to pay close attention in the opening monologue (Clive Owen, terrible) and find paying too much attention reveals ridiculous plot holes it doesn't bode well for overall enjoyment. The writer doesn't know very much about hostage situations it seems, mostly inspired by watching Dog Day Afternoon (and mentioning it for good measure)
but the absence of the FBI and the final burying of the case for “lack of a crime" is nonsense. The traumatised hostages would disagree. Then there's several minutes of footage of the team entering the bank on CCTV before Clive zapped the cameras. Then there's the detectives not keeping the only two women who match the female criminal's description under surveillance, which would lead to the entire team being caught a week later. Also, the bank owner not checking his beloved safe deposit box at all in the week following the heist and finding the ring and note for the police.
Also, what's the deal with the thematically nonsensical opening and closing Indian song? An annoying experience throughout.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 18
Monteyn
Fun movie. Nothing more nothing less.Siskoid
Spike Lee's Inside Man concerns a bank robbery that isn't really one, in which a disgraced police detective (Denzel Washington) goes head to head with a mastermind (Clive Owen) with plenty of recognizable faces besides. Right away, the title creates suspicion and paranoia, and hostage/suspect interviews edited into the narrative helps the notion along. The solutions are pretty clever and never talk down to the audience. That this takes place in Lee's multi-ethnic New York adds another layer to this chess game. That and his documentary-style camera work grounds the film in the real world, and yet he allows himself some directorial flair which doesn't detract from the mood, but rather enhances it. Great music cues too. This one keeps you guessing and entertains all the way through. Loved it.IreneAdler
Just wonderful. Loved the idea, the music... many great scenes and good actors. Some nice twists. All in all great entertainment.dombrewer
A heist thriller that's nowhere near as smart as it seems to think it is. When you're instructed to pay close attention in the opening monologue (Clive Owen, terrible) and find paying too much attention reveals ridiculous plot holes it doesn't bode well for overall enjoyment. The writer doesn't know very much about hostage situations it seems, mostly inspired by watching Dog Day Afternoon (and mentioning it for good measure)ansver
One of the best of its kind and I liked it. During two hours it gave me nothing but pleasure to watch this movie.danisanna
Clever film, great plot, great cast! Recommended!ze_ressacado
Such a great movie! I found it pretty odd not seeing it on any list... It's a must see :)loukhb
thats true ))EmmaGjerdseth
Well written and executed - one cannot do anything but love this film!Fabio Bottrel
Great script.missdaisy14
This is one clever movie. I love it!samza
Great movie, good story!The Doctor
Vastly different than most of Lee's film canon, yet it still contains all those trademark touches of Lee's work.Captain Awesome
Great film. Clive Owen and Denzel Washington are two of my favourites.ynrozturk
The ending is absolute shit.Showing items 1 – 15 of 18