Spike Lee's Inside Man is a loving tribute to New York City and Sidney Lumet's Dog Afternoon. filled with post-9/11 anxiety, an eclectic cast and unexpected twists. Stylish and exciting, this popcorn movie is about a game of wits between law enforcement officers and bank robbers as they try to get the hostages to safety. All of this takes place against the backdrop of Wall Street corruption and a bank owner with blood on his hands.

There's a palpable tension between Keith Frazier, who wants to become a detective in the first division after being falsely accused of stealing money from drug sales, and robber Dalton Russell, who claims he's going to pull off "the perfect bank robbery." Spike Lee offered both lead roles to Denzel Washington, who had been in several of his other films such as Mo' Better Blues. "Malcolm X" and "He's got game." How Spike Lee told GamesRadar+ (formerly Total Film)"When you're dealing with someone like Denzel, you don't dictate what role he's going to play. Denzel Washington's reputation and relationship with Spike Lee gave him carte blanche, so which would it be - the bank robber or the good guy?

According to Spike Lee, Denzel Washington told him, “I have to play the cop because the other guy's face is covered for the whole movie!” (via GamesRadar+) Clive Owen had similar concerns about the role when Spike Lee offered him the role of robber Dalton Russell, as he was concealed by a mask and sunglasses throughout the script. Owen explains to GQ in a breakdown of its most famous characters that the script has been adapted to include several moments that reveal his face. These end up being some of the best scenes in the film because they are so limited, including the intriguing opening where he breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience directly with his cunning plans and Shakespearean references.

Clive Owen mentions in his GQ interview that Spike Lee told him he needed someone who "could go toe-to-toe with Denzel because he's so strong." Owen's steady, cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor is the perfect foil for Washington's charismatic banter. The swagger and confidence that Washington brings to many of his performances was ideal for Fraser's role, making his quick thinking and determination to solve the case feel that much more compelling. Clive Owen is known for roles with a quieter intensity. Although they are both amazing actors and could have easily switched roles, their different performance styles fit the characters perfectly, making the cat and mouse game between them all the more exciting to watch.