Release Date:
03/24/2006
On the surface, it's just another bank heist flick, but look beneath Inside Man and you'll uncover so much more. This cool, captivating cat-and-mouse game, perfectly played by Denzel Washington and Clive Owen, may be director Spike Lee's most accomplished and entertaining joint yet. Inside Man delivers the goods behind a remarkable screenplay (written by Russell Gewirtz) that goes like this: Owen is a criminal mastermind who captures a midtown bank holding several hostages, all cleverly figuring into the unfolding situation. When Washington, as the key police negotiator, takes matters into his own hands, his attempts to smoke out the robbers meet with surprising results. All sorts of detours, including the emergence of Jodie Foster as a key player with her own agenda, ensure that the plot line is never as predictable as you think it's gonna be. Lee spices up this irresistibly watchable pissing match with sharp camera work and flash-forward editing, making sure we keep guessing right up until the ultimate twist. Inside Man is proof positive why we still go to the movies.