You know that a drug theme and color grading doesn’t make you Traffic right? For that matter why would you want to seem as dated as Traffic (that is a good movie though)? If there’s one thing that I could describe The Infiltrator as is an 80’s version of one of the stories from Soderbergh’s calling card movie from 2000. It’s rampantly edited, color adjusted in some scenes and clear in others to boost artistic merit, and as a story by itself doesn’t boil down to all that much. The simple story here is that Bryan Cranston, plays Bob Mazur, an undercover cop who is infiltrating the operation of Pablo Escobar’s right-hand man with a partner played by John Leguizamo. This story has been seen in many forms, and here there doesn’t seem to be enough meat on the bones of the movie to actually make this specific story worth telling, but overall the payoff scene is worth it. The editing and the colors are the first things you’ll notice though. Director Brad Furman has enthusiastically cut this movie to form an intense but energetic 80’s feel, while also grading the movie like a late 90’s drug movie. The visual effect of this is a little odd as the images never really seem truly real and only informed by a white-hot adrenaline, but you can’t take your eyes off of it. There’s a scene where nude dancers are using large feathers to perform a routine that is visually awkward, and bewildering, but fascinating at the same time. When the movie does finally pay off in one of the most startlingly amazing endings in a movie this year, the style lends itself well as the use of synth-pop music and montage cutting makes the moment gut wrenching. It’s all for not though without Cranston, who being one of the most realistic actors of all time creates Bob out of literally the thin air and dead weight that the screenplay gives him. Leguizamo, being one of those sad 90’s actors that never really made it, is doing his traditional well researched character work. Seriously, this guy needs a full on drama role so he can knock it out of the park. The rest of the cast is a charismatic wash, either not getting much to do (something that befalls Leguizamo), or simply doing serviceable if arch “drug movie” performances. The real surprise is that the climax actually doesn’t hinge on Cranston though, but more on Benjamin Bratt, who has both an imposing personality and grandiose figure to bring to the film. There’s a moment of Bratt’s facial acting during the climax that is so striking that it paralyzes the viewer. Brad Furman, and Bryan Cranston craft a thin Traffic story with The Infiltrator, that still eventually brings the big guns through mind wracking cinematography and editing, and solid character acting. If you like crime movies this is a fine thriller to spend an afternoon with. I give The Infiltrator a 7 out of 10.
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December 2017
CategoriesAuthorHello welcome to FilmAnalyst. My name is Stephen Tronicek, and I really like movies. This is a way to get my opinions out to people. Thank you for visiting. |