The Infiltrator

Films based on an intense trafficking event are typically fraught with danger and peril. We've seen films about this topic such as "Traffic" 2000 and even cop crime dramas often centering around the drug topic such as "Training Day" '01 and "End of Watch" '12, but none quite as definitive as "The Infiltrator".

Based on a true story, U.S, Customs agent Robert "Bob" Mazur (Bryan Cranston) goes deep undercover to infiltrate Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar's blood-soaked drug trafficking scene plaguing the nation in 1985 by posing as a slick, money-laundering businessman Bob Musella. Teamed with impulsive and streetwise fellow agent Emir Ebreu (John Leguizamo) and rookie agent posing as his fiancé Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger), Mazur befriends Escobar's top lieutenant Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt). Navigating a vicious criminal network in which the slightest slip-up could cost him his life, Mazur risks it all building a case that eventually leads to a final arrest of so many involved.

Others to round out the cast are Yul Vazquez as Javier Ospina, Joe Gilgun as Dominic, Amy Ryan as Agent Bonni Tischler, boss of Mazur, Daniel Mays as Frankie and Ruben Ochandiano as Gonzalo Mora Jr.

This was intensely directed by Brad Furman ("The Take" '07, "The Lincoln Lawyer" '11, "Runner Runner" '13) plus shorts. One thing I have concluded in my many years of viewing films, is that Hollywood has made a fortune in creating these cop crime drama/ drug trafficking types of films. So why did this film stand out amongst the long list of films of this genre? Because having Furman as director was amazingly strategical. He knows how to bring his actors to that place where it's almost like eavesdropping into an actual person's life, of course having Cranston in the lead role didn't exactly hurt. It was equally well written by virtual newcomer Ellen Brown Furman which was based on the book by Robert Mazur. For a writer that has no other work to her credit, this was incredibly well delineated. The script flowed well, was cohesive and well thought out. Other than a couple of places of very small slowness in storyline and a couple of small places of choppiness, this script was executed well. Seasoned writers aren't typically this talented. She will undoubtedly receive more work.

If crime drama is your genre, this will rock for you, but even if it's not, the acting, directing and writing is executed so well that as you watch this, you will be captivated by the way these characters are developed.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: R                                       127mins.