This film is the classic we’ve waited for. It has the betrayals of The Godfather, the intensity of the Untouchables. It’s Serpico for this generation. Wait until you see the scene with the anniversary cake. It’s when I knew the words “…And the Oscar goes to…” will happen.
Agent Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston) attempts to bring down the drug trade from the inside by going undercover as a money launderer for the world’s largest cartel in the 80s. Based on a true story, and directed by Brad Furman, the movie allows Cranston to ‘Break bad’ in a whole new light.
His character believes that in order to seize the drugs, it’s not the drugs that are the enemy, because they can be replaced in a matter of days…but going after the big boys behind them.
The story is intelligent and suspenseful. By day Cranston is a gentle-soul-of-a-father to his two children and his wife – who’s grown a little tired of all this. “Promise me this is the last time.” By night he turns into a bad ass. Cranston’s going to get Pablo Escobar. But first he has to go through seedy drug dealers, respectable bankers, and an entire network of South Florida and global bad boys. In order to do that, he’ll become – move over Pitbull – ‘Mister Worldwide’.
The cop/bad guy performances are Oscar worthy, too. John Leguizamo is intense and necessary, possibly waiting his entire life for this role. Diane Kruger as Cranston’s globe-trotting ‘fake’ fiancée is at once seductive and soft but hard. Benjamin Bratt, as Escobar’s right hand man, delivers the ultimate performance…a likeable corrupt human. Even Olympia Dukakis as Cranston’s Aunt is the perfectly ‘safe’ character comeback role.
Cranston, however, gives the best performance knowing one false move could end his life. Al Pacino couldn’t compete. This film is the classic we’ve waited for. It has the betrayals of The Godfather, the intensity of the Untouchables. It’s Serpico for this generation.
Wait until you see the scene with the anniversary cake. It’s when I knew the words “…And the Oscar goes to…” will happen.
But when one of the drug lords declares ‘if your government didn’t have any dirty money you economy would collapse’ it’s a chilling reminder of things to come.
The story reels with fear and trust. And it’s the best film of the year. In July!