What sets this film apart is its refusal to reduce the story to mere heroes and villains. Instead, it presents a riveting face-off between Clive Owen and Denzel, two characters engaged in a head-to-head battle. As the plot unfolds, a surprising kinship emerges beneath the surface, challenging our preconceived notions.

[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT]

Denzel Washington, in one of his most subtly powerful performances, brings a blend of looseness, playfulness, and authority to his role. He effortlessly embodies the cool detective assigned to a hostage situation in the bank - but it is such an underappreciated performance by him.

He delivers an intricate performance, skillfully showing the precisely timed situational demeanor demanded by his character's circumstances. The character is strategic in how he displays his emotions, often playing a mental battle with other characters in the movie.

Denzel is at the peak of his powers, subtly and effortlessly throws around layered depictions of calm demeanor, quick-witted dialogue, comforting words of wisdom, direct disruption - he transitions to so many different demeanors.

The film adeptly underscores the vital role of emotional intelligence in the realm of detective work. As I reflect on it further, I realize a valuable lesson: the ability to project confidence, even in moments of doubt, is indispensable when leading a team.

The character's intelligence shines through brilliantly, with the movie expertly showcasing his strategic maneuvers, often intricately woven with his innate charisma. His deep understanding of the situation's nuances is undeniable, but it's his charisma and acute people-reading skills that take center stage, emphasized as critical in the high-stakes scenario he finds himself in.

In his portrayal of Detective Keith Frazier, Denzel Washington also unveils vulnerability when confronted with uncertainty. Whether its contending with the assertiveness of his superiors during the heist's decision-making process or responding to the demands of Clive Owen's character, the bank robbers' leader, from within the very bank they're robbing, his portrayal captivates and resonates with me.

Also, the movie has impeccable casting.

Jodie Foster, in particular, shines as a force to be reckoned with as a fixer for the countries elite class. Christopher Plummer as the owner of the bank with a dark history. Willem Dafoe as a sort of mini antagonist. Denzel and his confidante and partner in crime, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is like the ultimate buddy cop duo. Clive Owen as the orchestrator of the bank heist, who is going head to head against Denzel’s character.

The interplay among these remarkable actors is fascinating to watch and rare that this piece of art was encapsulated in time. Spike Lee as the director is just icing on the cake and the glue that brings it all together.

The clever juxtaposition of scenes, cutting back and forth in time from the hostage situation to the post-bank-robbery hostage interviews, adds layers of complexity to the story. We find ourselves considering the hostages' perspective and whether they might have played a role in the heist.

Chiwetel and Denzel's performances in these moments strike a balance between weariness, manipulation, and genuine concern as they conduct interviews with individuals who were all forced to don the same uniform inside the bank, rendering them indistinguishable from the robbers.

It becomes a psychological study under extraordinary circumstances.

The best part about this movie is that Denzel’s character emerges as the hero and the winner, so to speak. But the victory is not over who you would expect. It's as though Denzel and Clive Owen represent the people, while Christopher Plummer and Jodie Foster symbolize the elite. In the end, the people win over the elite class.

This film is, at its core, a crowd-pleaser with layers of complexity woven throughout. It's a cinematic experience that balances simplicity and depth, making it accessible and thought-provoking simultaneously. The twist at the end ties up the narrative neatly and provides a satisfying conclusion to the characters we've come to care about.

But what sets this film apart is its refusal to reduce the story to mere heroes and villains. Instead, it presents a riveting face-off between Owen and Denzel, two characters engaged in a head-to-head battle. As the plot unfolds, a surprising kinship emerges beneath the surface, challenging our preconceived notions.

In my humble opinion, this film deserved the Best Picture award. It stands as one of Spike Lee's most captivating works, perfectly paced and incredibly engaging.

For me, this movie is a 9.2/10

Please enjoy one of my favorite scenes from the movie: