Navigating Moral Ambiguity in 1980s New York

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MOVIE REVIEW
Inside Man
–

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 31m
Director(s): Danny A. Abeckaser
Writer(s): Kosta Kondilopoulos
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Jake Cannavale, Lucy Hale, Ashley Greene, Danny A. Abeckaser
Where To Watch: releases on digital November 20, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Exploring the dimly lit world of 1980s Brooklyn, Danny A. Abeckaser's INSIDE MAN unfolds as a tale of moral ambiguity and the high-stakes underworld of the Gambino family. In the role of Bobby Belucci, Emile Hirsch offers us a gripping portrayal of a disgraced cop's journey into the depths of undercover work.

INSIDE MAN, helmed by Danny A. Abeckaser, takes us on a journey through the gritty streets, where Emile Hirsch's Bobby Belucci faces the daunting task of infiltrating a notorious crime family. This drama is steeped in moral dilemmas, promising a deep dive into the psyche of a cop on a redemption arc. Even though the film's narrative occasionally tries too hard, the overall experience is shockingly powerful.

The film opens with a scenario that immediately throws us into the heart of chaos, setting up a labyrinth of moral quandaries. As the story unfolds, it gets complicated, causing the narrative to lose its grip. Hirsch, tasked with portraying the multi-layered Bobby Belucci, brings a sense of raw vulnerability to his role. The script could have been more nuanced in his character's emotional journey, resulting in a performance that echoes in an empty narrative hall. I would have loved to dive deeper into what made him the man we see.

As we delve deeper into the plot, INSIDE MAN attempts to intertwine personal tribulations with professional perils. These threads become entangled, particularly in the subplot involving Lucy Hale's character, Gina. Her role had so much potential, and I would love to see more of what makes her tick; it feels like we only got a peek inside, especially regarding her and Hirsch’s characters. I feel like there’s an incredible film in here; potentially, this was just edited down; it would be amazing to see the unedited director's take on the film if there was more to these stories.

The film's pacing mirrors the erratic heartbeat of its protagonist – at times racing with adrenaline, at others being a slow burn within its rhythm. This inconsistency is shocking at times but also very telling, and it allows us to catch up when these impactful moments almost overwhelm us. The cinematography captures the foreboding essence of the criminal underworld, primarily due to the film's pacing, allowing us to ride this rollercoaster.

Themes of masculinity and redemption are teased throughout Belucci's descent into the mafia world. These potentially rich veins of narrative explorations enrich Belucci's character arc. The film concludes with a sense of incompletion but in such a way that we get to connect the dots and create the connections that we didn’t always get on screen.

In its entirety, INSIDE MAN combines the elements of a compelling crime drama and weaves them into a fulfilling narrative. Hirsch, Finley, and the rest of the cast use the film's script to stitch together its ambitious plot points. Set against a backdrop rich with potential, the film pays homage to the crime drama genre, navigating the dark alleys with narrative skill.

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[photo courtesy of 101 FILMS]