Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Denzel Washington, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jodie Foster
‘A Captivating Thriller’
Not many actors in Hollywood have produced movies audiences adore as much as Chiwetel Ejiofor. Ever since his rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Ejiofor has made many memorable movies. Whether it’s slaves which face danger, bank robbers or victims of doomsday disaster, Ejiofor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Ejiofor’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment. He is one of those actors that has always poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Ejiofor has rarely been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which are not always likeable. Through his abilities to create compelling characters which audiences could relate to, Ejiofor has become an actor whose movies audiences value. A British icon, Ejiofor has become a beloved icon whose memorable movies audiences cherish. Throughout his bold career, Ejiofor has produced many memorable films that are definitely worth watching without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Ejiofor and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Inside Man” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2006, Spike Lee’s movie has become a strong bank robbery classic. Packed with spellbinding production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made in the crime genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who portrays the victim of an intricate bank robbery. Ultimately, what makes “Inside Man” a captivating crime classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies that capture bank robberies, it tackles relatable themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the consequences of crimes which will resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing crime classic, there are several strong reasons why “Inside Man” is a film that’s definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
“Inside Man” tells the story of a bank robbery causing consequences in which people are pushed aside. Denzel Washington portrays Keith Frazier, a righteous detective seeking to resolve crimes in a downtrodden city. Frazier has always had an aptitude for resolving grim crimes in his city. However, Frazier’s abilities to solve crimes are tested when he witnesses a bank robbery causing disaster. Organized by the mastermind criminal Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), the robbery puts the lives of people in grave danger. Dalton is a clever criminal with an aptitude for pulling off intricate robberies without facing a price to pay. Assisted by his partner in crime Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Frazier seeks to resolve a bank robbery that causes disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Frazier questions whether it’s possible to resolve crimes in a city which faces disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Frazier questions whether it’s truly possible to resolve frightening bank robberies that cause trauma in America.
Spike Lee is a newcomer towards the stories of bank robberies. Before he had directed “Inside Man”, Lee had never made a movie about bank robberies. A bold African-American filmmaker, Lee has often made great movies about black culture. His award-winning film “Do the Right Thing” captured the hardships faced by black men experiencing racism which is frightening. With “Inside Man”, however, Lee produced his first bank robbery thriller. It was the director’s first attempt to capture barriers experienced by bank robbers but he succeeds immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Lee captures detectives investigating bank robberies which are frightening. Visually, the movie is a strong feast for the eyes which is as breathtaking as sad bank robberies criminals seek to organize. Inspired by Michael Mann’s “Heat”, Lee deftly uses handheld camerawork to capture bank robberies which are frightening. For instance, handheld camera elevates the opening scene. During this intense scene, Dalton and his team of criminals organize an intricate bank robbery that causes destruction. One admired hand-held camerawork capturing hardships bank robbers are facing. Handheld camerawork is tricky to use in movies. As Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” claimed, handheld camera elevates films about hijackings. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Lee captures tensions commemorated bank robbers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Inside Man” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Lee effectively stages action that showcases bank robbers facing tension. Lee has always had an aptitude for staging thrilling action in his movie through cross-cuffing, and “Inside Man” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, cross-cuffing elevates the action scene. During this unforgettable scene, Detective Frazier attempts to negotiate with bank robbers using a phone call conversation. One appreciates cross-cutting capturing tense hardships that bank robbers are facing. Cross-cuffing is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, cross-cuffing elevates classic science movies about dreams. Nevertheless, it works expertly in this movie. Through captivating production design, Lee captures the lives of commemorated bank robbers that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Inside Man” is a crime classic about bank robberies which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively employs non-linear storytelling to capture hardships bank robbers are facing. Lee’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture bank robbery disasters that are frightening through using non-linear storytelling. For instance, the non-linear storytelling elevates the interrogation scene. During this intense scene, detective Frazier and his associate investigate a grim victim of a bank robbery. One acknowledges non-linear storytelling capturing hardships detectives are facing. Non-linear storytelling is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” claimed, non-linear storytelling enhances biopics about sad bomb inventors. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” claimed non-linear storytelling elevates movies about men with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Lee captures the lives of commemorated criminals committing bank robbery causing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Chiwetel Ejiofor delivers one of his greatest performances as Bill Mitchell. Ejiofor earned appreciation for playing slaves treated poorly in history. With “Inside Man”, however, Ejiofor took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of a detective seeking to resolve a bank robbery, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With strong expressions, Ejiofor captures the desperation, identity and trauma of a detective seeking to conduct a robbery. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
Denzel Washington is dazzling as a detective seeking to resolve bank robberies which cause tension. Washington has always had a flair for playing characters that face fear, and “Inside Man” showcases his strengths as an actor. It’s a role that gave the actor chance to showcase his aptitude for playing characters that are in intense pressure. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, determination and strong resolve of a detective seeking to resolve crime in a downtrodden city. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
The supporting cast is sensational and worthy of appreciation. Clive Owen is captivating, and captures pessimistic attitude of a bank robber seeking to conduct crimes that cause tension. Jodie Foster is fantastic, capturing the smart nature of a lawyer seeking to resolve terrifying bank robberies causing disaster. Lastly, Willem Dafoe merits appreciation. As a frustrated cop, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Inside Man” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing bank robbers which have pride. Unlike most movies about painful bank robberies, it tackles strong themes which would resonate with everyone. It tackles bold themes including determination, poverty and injustice which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Spike Lee to enjoy it. Consequently, “Inside Man” is one of those rare movies about bank robberies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Chiwetel Ejiofor would enjoy “Inside Out” and so will movie-towers seeking great entertainment. A captivating bank robberies classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about detectives investigating bank robberies committed with great skills that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 