Spike Lee + an intelligent heist film? Don't worry.

Rating: 9/10 (22 April 2006)

Inside Man, by Spike Lee, is by far one of the most impressive theatrical experiences I've attended all year. I can tell you this because going to the movies has not yielded many quality experiences. From the moment it begins, there is clearly an urban vibe; the shots of Manhattan, not to mention the movie being billed as "A Spike Lee joint" give it a grittier tone. Do not let these minor touches fool you; as the movie progresses, it helps to not go in with preconceived notions of the typical Spike Lee movie. Denzel Washington plays a hostage-situation negotiator, Clive Owen the antagonist, and Jodie Foster the mysterious femme fatale who seems to know much more than she lets on. All of these roles are carried out with overwhelming class and finesse, a true work of art to see all the pieces in motion. Spike Lee's direction helps to execute scenes that clearly convey to the viewer what they are intended to show, and all these elements come together to create a great piece and an especially sweet outing for fans of "heist" movies.
One area you could expect to see that is almost expected of a Spike Lee movie is the social commentary; the almost constant references to racism and racial hatred are almost to be expected and are delivered with the grittiness you come to expect from Lee, from the almost abusive but certainly overbearing incapacitation of a Muslim-American (including the removal of his turban, a severe insult to the Muslim-American community) to the references to Usama Bin Laden and flagging taxi-cabs, Lee does a passable job of portraying the Muslim-American as the new Black.
Aside from minor problems with the acting (Jodie Foster's character seems a little subdued for her taste, but the differences are subtle) and the almost inevitable racially stunted social commentary, Inside Man comes together as one of Spike Lee's finest.