Excellent Story

Rating: Null/10 (2 April 2006)

The movie has an excellent plot and well-thought out script; some things that didn't need explaining (such as the fact the 'bank robbers' were digging a hole in the supply room, NOT the bank vault, in order to gain access to the sewage lines so that Clive Owen's character would have access to a bathroom during his one week 'stay' in the bank), however others, such as how the robbers knew about Mr. Plummer's documents and the safety deposit box were not and should have been clarified more. There are some holes in the movie. Why Mr. Plummer would retain the diamonds and the Cartier ring can be readily deduced: he felt either guilt or remorse over the friends he betrayed and, not needing the wealth, kept the diamonds and the ring as a reminder of what he did. This is apparent from the plaques and his need to 'atone' for his WWII 'crimes' once he founded the bank. What isn't as readily deducible and certainly not apparent is why retain the document with the swastika and why keep it in a bank vault that he did not have full control over.
The one disappoint with the film is the elements that Mr. Lee clearly felt it necessary to add, among the more glaring of these Mr. Washington's comment to the Sikh bank employee about catching a taxi, and the entire dialogue with the young African-American boy about his video game (his father was too readily educated and too clearly readily interested in his child to either not be aware of the type of game his son was playing or to not participate in his child's leisure time pursuits.
The one poorly thought out plot hole was the entire pen with a recording device and the fact that a true power broker/power player wouldn't have readily and easily done something to the detective rather than allow him to hold something over her head as well as over the Mayor. Making Mr. Washington the "hero" in a movie that didn't require that was unnecessary, unless it was forced as part of his contract or the director's affection for this actor. Likewise, from other Lee movies, it's clear he does not have much respect for women, for the entire portrayal of the Hispanic woman in the bank, her interrogation as well as that of the female bank robbers and Mr. Washington's putative fiancé.
However, it's an excellent plot, crisp, generally well made, readily enjoyable and certainly good. It just could have been superior.