Simply Terrific

Rating: Null/10 (6 April 2006)

At last. A movie to which I can give a 10. I haven't felt this enthusiastic about a film in many, many months, and I can't recall at all the last time I sat right through the credits so I could write down the name of the record company who are marketing the soundtrack. I was gripped from the entrancing opening shots of the city, to the intriguing and satisfying conclusion. I'm rather ashamed to admit that this is the first Spike Lee film I've ever seen, but if his others are anywhere near this good, then I shall make a point of looking them up. This movie has an interesting plot, very good acting and a fine script. Such standards should of course be common, but they're not. This is quite a rarity unfortunately. It's intelligent and very entertaining.
The story is a variation on the well worn theme of the bank heist, but it becomes evident very quickly that this is not any ordinary bank heist, and we are not in for two hours of yawn-inducing cliché and special effects. A gang takes over a bank, holding staff and customers hostage, then demands a plane to escape. But what are they really after? Are they simply stalling for time, does the bank founder have a nasty secret hidden in the vaults and between the police and the robbers, who is outwitting whom? It's more of a whydunnit than a whodunnit and it's closely plotted. The dialogue is crisp and real, managing to infuse occasional asides of humor into the characters' interactions, especially amongst the police. The movie is, of course, set in New York and Lee throws in many passing references to the city's varied ethnicities, who live uneasily cheek by jowl.
The performances are outstanding; Denzel Washington, as the police negotiator, has never been better, and with this role Clive Owen, as the gang leader, has more than made up for the irritating prat he played in Closer. I have always loved Jodie Foster and she gives a perfect performance in a small but important role as a wealthy power broker. I can think of few other actresses who could pull off the subtle mix of elegance, sexuality and authority that she exudes here on screen. All the supporting performers are equally good too. Good stuff! Go see.
Addendum: I went to see this again two weeks later. Even better second time around where I picked up many nuances in the major performances (Washington, Owen, Foster, Defoe) that escaped me first time around as I concentrated on the plot. I remain convinced this is one of the best movies in several months. One small criticism; some of the "outdoor" street scenes are quite badly lit and are quite obviously filmed under artificial light.