The film opens with Dalton Russell, portrayed by Clive Owen, reflecting on his situation within the walls of an undisclosed cell. He ponders the stark contrasts between a prison and simply being confined, immediately drawing us into the heart of his meticulously devised bank robbery plan.
In a flashback, we witness the robbery unfold as a group of thieves, disguised as painters and using variations of the name "Steve," storm into a bank, effectively shutting down the security systems and taking control of the premises. The robbers force all customers and bank employees into the basement, where they are ordered to surrender their keys and cell phones, donning uniforms and face masks identical to those of the robbers. The hostages are separated and rotated among different rooms, adding to the chaotic tension of the situation.
Simultaneously, law enforcement surrounds the bank as Detectives Keith Frazier, played by Denzel Washington, and Bill Mitchell, along with Captain Darius (Willem Dafoe), secure the perimeter and discuss the developing crisis. Russell demands food, and the police send pizzas, which unbeknownst to them, contain electronic bugs that allow them to overhear conversations, leading to the surprising discovery of propaganda recordings.
In a twist of intrigue, Arthur Case, played by Christopher Plummer, the bank's chairman, hires "fixer" Madeleine White, portrayed by Jodie Foster, to ensure that the contents of his safe deposit box remain undisclosed. White cleverly negotiates access to the bank by manipulating Frazier into allowing her to speak with Russell. During their encounter, Russell unveils a damning document suggesting that Case received support from Nazi Germany, leading to significant moral implications. With a strong assertion, Russell declares, > "Fact is, all lies, all evil deeds, they stink. You can cover them up for a while, but they don't go away."
In a strategic maneuver, Frazier tricks Russell into believing that the police have equipped an airplane for their escape, yet he needs confirmation of the hostages' safety first. Russell permits Frazier inside, where they check on the hostages and converse about life, including Frazier's plans to propose to his girlfriend—something Russell encourages him to pursue without hesitation regarding money.
Things take a dark turn when the robbers execute a hostage, prompting a full-on response from the Emergency Services Unit. Frazier attempts to prevent a raid, suspecting that Russell's actions may be part of an elaborate ruse. Tensions escalate within the bank as the robbers deploy smoke bombs and begin to release hostages, leading to a mass confusion as the police struggle to distinguish between captors and hostages.
The investigation into the heist reveals that safe deposit box #392 is curiously absent from any bank records, prompting Frazier to secure a warrant to investigate further. A confrontational exchange with White ensues, where she attempts to dissuade him from pursuing the case, claiming connections that could benefit him. Frazier, undeterred and armed with evidence, presses forward.
Case, confronted by White regarding his past, admits to his treachery during World War II, and it becomes clear that the true objective of the robbers lies within the safe deposit box. Russell's earlier narration takes on new meaning as we learn he has cleverly concealed himself within the bank, playing the role of the "Inside Man" all along.
He finally emerges, weeks after the ordeal, with the contents of Case's box, cleverly slipping away while evading capture. In an ironic twist of fate, Russell crosses paths with Frazier, who remains blissfully unaware of their connection. As Frazier discovers the box's true contents, including the Cartier ring linked to Case's betrayal, he finds himself embroiled in a web of moral dilemmas and revelations.
The story concludes with Frazier finding a loose diamond in his pocket, signaling an unexpected gesture from Russell and hinting at a romantic proposal, leaving the audience to ponder the intricate layers of deception and consequence that have unfolded throughout this gripping narrative.
