Inside Man

Inside Man (2006)

This movie takes “shamelessly manipulative” to a whole new level. It is a very cynical film, made for people who like to see criminals avoid being caught and punished. The film also appeals to viewers who like to see law enforcement officials portrayed as inept and corrupt.

Movie critics are slobbering all over themselves to give this film good reviews.

Intellectual lightweights like Duane Dudek (of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) must have seen a different version of the film than I did.

Denzel Washington does a very good job with the very poor script that he is given.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (who played the villain in Serenity) is outstanding as the assistant negotiator.

Jodie Foster is great as a very smart but morally bankrupt clone of Hillary Clinton.

Willem Dafoe (one of my favorites) has a very minor role.

Christopher Plummer (who stood up to the Nazis in Sound of Music) plays a Nazi collaborator, a villain that you can really love to hate.

The film leaves many of the plot elements unexplained. Maybe the deleted scenes on the DVD will rectify that oversight.

This film confirms my view that Spike Lee is a lot more concerned about getting the best shot that he is about telling a good story.