The insiders

Rating: 8/10 (29 May 2006)

Spike Lee achieves a great triumph in this studio sponsored film and shows why he is one of the best directors working today on his own, or in Hollywood. The film was written by Russell Gurwirth. The movie is hugely entertaining as Mr. Lee and Mr. Gurwirth take the viewer for a ride, that for all appearances involve what appears to be a bloody bank heist, but when all is said and done, it was something else, altogether.
The first clue about what the "Steves", as the bank robbers call one another, are trying to do, is how easy they gain access to the place. When everything is set in motion, one expects the bandits to start eliminating the hostages, as one is accustomed to expect from other films of the genre. Right after the robbers stage the plan, the police is set in motion to keep the bad guys surrounded so they can't escape without being apprehended.
The man who is on call when the news is learned is Det. Keith Frazier, a man who has had problems within the force. He is assisted by his fellow Det. Bill Mitchell. Although they are the ones in charge, another man, a Capt. Darius is the man who is monitoring the action from a van. Det. Frazier clashes with Capt. Darius, who has no clue about what the others are doing.
It's at this time that the bank president, Arthur Case, an older man who is well connected comes to the powerful Madeline White to ask for her help in securing important documents that are in a safe deposit box in the vault of the bank. Madeline White uses her influence with the Mayor, to get permission to negotiate with the robbers. It's at this moment where our suspicions are confirmed about the nature of why the heist.
Denzel Washington makes a great Det. Frazier. He is at the same time a man who uses his intuition to try to solve the case, without much success. Jodie Foster makes a valuable contribution as Madeline, a ruthless woman who knows a few secrets about her clients. Clive Owen doesn't have much to do. Christopher Plummer is Arthur Case, the man who thought he knew it all and whose past comes back to haunt him. William Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofer, are seen in minor roles.
Ultimately, Spike Lee pulls all the strings in moving this story in ways only he could do. The viewer is in for a treat.