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With rapid precision, a robbery gang of five, with Dalton Russel (Clive Owen) as the
mastermind, seizes a Manhattan bank, shuts it down and makes the staff and customers their hostages.
Detective in charge Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington), with the cooperation of police Captain John Darius (William Dafoe) and his force, move quickly to assess the situation and work towards an amenable settlement, with the least damage and no loss of lives. Frazier opens a dialogue with Russell. As the latter takes his time presenting his demands, the detective realizes that this is not only a bank-rob, but it involves something more. Coming into the picture particularly are: bank owner Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) who is anxious to retrieve something precious to him from a bank vault; and Madeline White (Jodie Foster) who happens to enjoy free access to important people and off-limit places, and is contracted by Case to pick up and deliver that item to him. What results will the dialogue bring about? Will the arrangement between Case and White affect the impending robbery, and hostage situation?
The main story which focuses on Frazier and Russel, where each tries to outwit the other is interestingly watchable because
the characters are convincingly played by Washington and Owen.
It does not matter that almost through the whole story Russel's face is concealed by a mask. In spite of a number of subplots not really relevant to the story they prove attention-grabbing on their own: like the episode of the Indian who insists in having his turban back being mistaken for an Arab; or the preteen boy taken hostage playing games on his handheld video and connecting with one of the masked robbers. The photography provides several impressive scenes of New York that the viewers could appreciate.
Did Russel get away with his planned perfect crime? He appears to have successfully escaped from the bank. What
was it, if any, he took away with him?
Frazier comes into the case and is reluctantly accepted by Capt. Darius because of a pending case of dishonesty. Ms. White's character is not clearly delineated; she appears to be a facilitator, who plays and works for any side for a fee. Bank owner Case admitted that he sold his soul to the Germans and the devil, but used the profit to open banks and helped many people. Is that enough retribution or the admission of guilt and its satisfaction are not yet complied with? The unclear story's outcome, the not very distinct attitudes and actions of the characters, plus some violence, disrespectful language and rudeness, though intended to be humorous requires the discernment of mature viewers.
(Date Reviewed: 08 June 2006)
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