‘Inside Man‘ is a heist thriller film directed by Spike Lee that follows a bank heist perpetrated over the course of twenty-four hours. It was released in 2006 by Universal Pictures.

Detectives Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) and Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor) are called on to act as negotiators with NYPD Captain John Darius (Willem Dafoe) after a bank is taken hostage by a gang of these who seem to be ahead of the cops at every turn. Unknown to the cops, the robbers are led by Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) who has planned the robbery to perfection. Bank owner Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) sends fixer Madeleine White (Jodie Foster) to make a private deal with the robbers. As tensions rise, Frazier tries to understand the robbers and what the gang is really after.

Spike Lee directs this film with mastery. He takes a pretty common movie trope and turns it on its head with conspiracy, twists, turns, and clever dialogue that brings it to fruition with a climax that you are not expecting. Screenwriter Russell Gewirtz crafts a pretty cool story that takes a unique turn on the heist genre.

As for the performances, they are all spot on. Per usual, Denzel Washington is spectacular in it. You feel his frustration from the duty he has to perform while also facing pressure in his personal life. Clive Owen, likewise, does an excellent job as the mastermind behind the hostage situation. Their battle of wits is pivotal and they both do a good job with the performances. Likewise, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jodie Foster both shine as well, helping to complete such an all-star cast.

Bottom line, get ready for an exciting heist film in Inside Man. It has genuine thrills and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat, not to mention the fantastic performances. If you find it in a DVD bin, pick up a copy and give it a watch.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Strong foul language, Substance abuse

FAVORITE QUOTE: I’m no martyr. I did it for the money. But it’s not worth much if you can’t face yourself in the mirror. Respect is the ultimate currency. I was stealing from a man who traded his away for a few dollars. And then he tried to wash away his guilt. Drown it in a lifetime of good deeds and a sea of respectability. It almost worked, too. But inevitably, the further you run from your sins, the more exhausted you are when they catch up to you. And they do. Certain. It will not fail.

Check out the trailer below:

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This article has been updated from a previous version.