Inside Man (2006)

"Pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully, and I never repeat myself."

This line is delivered by the bank robber, who speaks directly to the audience. If you miss what he says, don't worry—he will repeat himself at the end of the film.

The plot involves a bank robber (Clive Owen), a police detective (Denzel Washington), and a high-powered broker (Jodie Foster) who enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's ingenious heist spirals into a hostage situation. Yes, Clive Owen is not only interested in breaking the fourth wall by talking directly to us, the audience, but his character is also interested in breaking bank walls.

The movie captivates you from the start with a bold opening. Clive Owen's opening narration provides a glimpse into the disparity between his actions and his words, and the assumptions we all make. Spike Lee immediately subverts audience expectations with his unique take on the heist movie, prompting us to question what we're watching for the next two hours and how we should interpret it. All our questions are answered, just not in the way we probably expected. Our expectations don't match the reality of what we see, because we all make false assumptions based on stereotypical thinking. This is a brilliant film that explores the tension between expectation and reality.

This movie boasts three fantastic features: First, there is Clive Owen's direct but cunning plan, and the tension of seeing if he will pull off his bold heist. Second, there is the electric banter between Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, and Jodie Foster as they each try to uncover and thwart whatever it is the others are truly up to. Third, there are the eclectic side characters that provide insight into the way people stereotype others, which adds a realistic and gritty feel to the film. For instance, when Willem Dafoe hears an Albanian recording and immediately assumes it's Russian, or when the SWAT team overreacts to the Sikh man wearing a turban. Discussing the Sikh man's treatment, Denzel makes a snide remark about how easy it must be for a Sikh to hail a cab in New York. Jodie Foster teases Denzel with the prospects of fame and promotion, as she and Christopher Plummer, being part of a different, higher social class, assume Denzel is stumbling onto something "above his pay grade" and looking for an easy way out. In reality, Denzel is simply trying to resolve the robbery and hostage situation because that's his job. These small moments scattered throughout the movie show how stereotypes can lead to false assumptions.

It is the competing desires of the three main characters, and the false assumptions that the characters and we, the audience, make, that drive the movie forward. The bank robber has meticulously planned the heist to perfection. The police detective sees this as his one chance to redeem himself and his career. The high-powered broker is accustomed to getting her way because, well, she always gets her way. We, the audience, want all of them to succeed. But they can't because they all want different things—things that are diametrically opposed. The cop wants to catch the criminal, the criminal wants to walk away free with the contents of the vault, and the power broker wants to keep everyone out of the vault. Although the three main leads in this movie are all witty and intelligent, it's the false assumptions that ultimately lead to the frustration of two of the three main characters.

I've watched a lot of movies. Most are predictable by nature. It's rare for me to be surprised. Most surprises employ numerous red herrings, which are entirely inconsistent with the ultimate twist, to deliberately mislead you. It's a cheap trick.

This movie takes a different approach. The ending is hidden in plain sight. The twist is clearly foreshadowed, yet I, for one, didn't see it coming. And I don't think you will either. Like any overly complicated heist or decent action movie, this film sacrifices some realism for slick intrigue, suspense, excitement, and witty one-liners. But no matter how many times I watch this movie, I am always amazed at how it revitalizes a familiar premise by turning it inside out.



You should not watch Inside Man if...

• You prefer light-hearted or comedic films, as this is a serious and intense drama.
• Graphic violence or strong language makes you uncomfortable.
• You get bored easily with intricate plots, there are many twists and turns in this heist movie.
• You don't enjoy movies that require close attention to detail.
• You're under the age of 15, as the movie contains some disturbing scenes and strong language.

People who loved this movie also loved...
Die Hard (1988)

Although more of an action flick than a bank-heist film, "Die Hard," directed by John McTiernan, involves a group of German terrorists taking over a LA skyscraper during a Christmas party. Bruce Willis stars as the sardonic, hard-boiled New York cop caught up in the action. Its smart execution, well-rounded characters, and tense atmosphere make it a great choice for those who enjoyed Inside Man's taut narrative and clever plotting.

Heat (1995):

If you enjoyed "Inside Man," "Heat" should be on your radar. It's directed by Michael Mann and features Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in lead roles. The film is about a career criminal who plans a final major heist before his retirement. The storyline and character development are excellent, and you might find the similar themes of bank robbery and tactical strategies engaging. Plus, the face-off between De Niro and Pacino is a treat for any movie lover!

The Town (2010):

"The Town," directed by Ben Affleck, is another excellent film about a bank robbery. Affleck not only directs but also stars in it. The story revolves around a team of robbers from a neighborhood in Boston, where crime rates are high, and bank robbery is a profession passed down through the generations. The suspense and plot surprises are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, similar to "Inside Man".

Public Enemies (2009):

Directed by Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp as the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, "Public Enemies" is an exciting recount of infamous crimes during the Great Depression era. The film beautifully merges drama, action, and suspense in a storyline that would appeal to fans of "Inside Man".

Point Break (1991):

"Point Break," directed by Kathryn Bigelow, presents an intriguing blend of action, thrills, and undercover operations. It narrates the story about an FBI agent tasked with infiltrating a group of surfers suspected of being bank robbers. It's an action-packed film with strategic operations and a tense narrative, similar to "Inside Man".

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