Exciting thriller with an unexpected ending

Rating: 8/10 (22 March 2006)

(Synopsis) The movie begins with four people dressed in painters' clothes entering a bank in Manhattan. Once in position, the bank robbers take about 50 customers hostage and head for the vault. NYPD hostage negotiator Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) arrives on the scene and makes contact with the masked man in charge of the heist, Dalton Russell (Clive Owen). Detective Frazier wants to get all the hostages safely released as quickly as possible, in a peaceful manner. However, Russell has other plans; he begins playing a cat-&-mouse game to delay the police, and he outwits and confuses the police at every turn. Madeliene White (Jodie Foster), with the help of the mayor, bargains with Detective Frazier to let her talk to the bank robbers in an attempt to resolve the situation. Madeliene wants to make a deal with the robbers; if they give up and let her get something out of her client's safe deposit box, they will get a short jail term and $2 million when they get out.
(My Comment) From the very beginning of the hostage takeover, you know that this movie is going to be a surprising thriller. Clive Owens as the mastermind bank robber was brilliant in the role. Denzel Washington's part as the detective, who could figure out the bank robbers, was outstanding. However, Jodie Foster's small part was a little disappointing. The storyline offers the audience enough suspense and intrigue to keep you glued to your seat through the whole movie. You will not be able to figure out the ending until you actually see it. This is one movie you must go and see. Since this was a bank heist, I did have this question. Where was the FBI? (Universal Pictures, Run time 2:09, Rated R)(8/10)