Thursday, March 30, 2006
THE INSIDE MAN
Featuring: Clive Owen, Denzil Washington, Jodie Foster
Brief Synopsis: It's a bank robbery. Isn't it?
Comments: This film has a lot going for it. A pretty stellar cast with Clive Owen starring as the smart chief thief - smart-thinking, wise-cracking with a bubble of anger and violence just below the surface of his calm character. Denzil does alright as his cop foil with the trilby hat with Jodie looking seriously businesslike in her all white suit. The plot is pretty simple and easy to follow with the pacing of the film always keeping you on the edge - the audience is always curious to know what's going to happen next, why is he doing this, how is he going to carry all that money out so all these questions are always in the forefront of your mind. The twists and turns are never ending especially as the timeframe jumps from the present to the future and you do hold your breath right at the end. The cinematography suits the style of the film. You can see Spike Lee trying making a bit of a throwback film - set in modern times but with a big nod to the blues era - Denzil's hat, the choice of music and very constant blue hue with dark shadows lurking around.
And I liked all that and enjoyed the film. But there was just one thing that spoiled it for me and that it was just a bit too preachy. I think it started with the kid and the PSP wannabe but then it continued all the way to the Nazi guy being punished and Jodie not wanting to be paid. The irony is that the bank robber who is threatening, violent and a law breaker gets away with breaking the law. If you are going to be preachy, be consistent and make sure the bad guy doesn't get away with it (although you could argue that's precisely what happens). I feel it's all preachy preachy until the end where they turn the tables on you and they say 'the ends justify the means.'
Things to learn from this film: Keep an eye on what computer games your kids are playing.
Rating: 6/10
Featuring: Clive Owen, Denzil Washington, Jodie Foster
Brief Synopsis: It's a bank robbery. Isn't it?
Comments: This film has a lot going for it. A pretty stellar cast with Clive Owen starring as the smart chief thief - smart-thinking, wise-cracking with a bubble of anger and violence just below the surface of his calm character. Denzil does alright as his cop foil with the trilby hat with Jodie looking seriously businesslike in her all white suit. The plot is pretty simple and easy to follow with the pacing of the film always keeping you on the edge - the audience is always curious to know what's going to happen next, why is he doing this, how is he going to carry all that money out so all these questions are always in the forefront of your mind. The twists and turns are never ending especially as the timeframe jumps from the present to the future and you do hold your breath right at the end. The cinematography suits the style of the film. You can see Spike Lee trying making a bit of a throwback film - set in modern times but with a big nod to the blues era - Denzil's hat, the choice of music and very constant blue hue with dark shadows lurking around.
And I liked all that and enjoyed the film. But there was just one thing that spoiled it for me and that it was just a bit too preachy. I think it started with the kid and the PSP wannabe but then it continued all the way to the Nazi guy being punished and Jodie not wanting to be paid. The irony is that the bank robber who is threatening, violent and a law breaker gets away with breaking the law. If you are going to be preachy, be consistent and make sure the bad guy doesn't get away with it (although you could argue that's precisely what happens). I feel it's all preachy preachy until the end where they turn the tables on you and they say 'the ends justify the means.'
Things to learn from this film: Keep an eye on what computer games your kids are playing.
Rating: 6/10
Comments:
Saw this with Kaz but missed the 1st 5-10mins! Anything decent happen in that time. Was quite a good film I thought.
Uncle Stephen
Post a Comment
Uncle Stephen
# posted by 
: 2:30 PM
: 2:30 PM