The Infiltrator (2016)

A U.S. Customs official uncovers a money laundering scheme involving Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Director:

Brad Furman

Writers:

Ellen Furman (screenplay) (as Ellen Brown Furman), Robert Mazur (based on the book on)

Stars:

Bryan Cranston, John Leguizamo, Diane Kruger

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bryan Cranston	...	Robert Mazur
Leanne Best	...	Bowling Alley Waitress
Daniel Mays	...	Frankie
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor	...	Steve Cook
Niall Hayes	...	Scott Mazur
Lara Decaro	...	Andrea Mazur
Juliet Aubrey	...	Evelyn Mazur
Olympia Dukakis	...	Aunt Vicky
Amy Ryan	...	Bonni Tischler
John Leguizamo	...	Emir Abreu
Joe Gilgun	...	Dominic
Jason Isaacs	...	Mark Jackowski
Richard Katz	...	Attorney
Fred Furman	...	Federal Court Judge
Juan Cely	...	The Informant

Storyline

During the 1980s, U.S. Customs Service special agent Robert Mazur uses his undercover alias "Bob Musella" to become a pivotal player for drug lords cleaning their dirty cash. Later, he infiltrates the world's largest cartel, and helps expose the money-laundering organization of drug lord Pablo Escobar and take down the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, which had secretly taken illegal ownership of First American Bank shares in Washington, D.C. He survives the deception and has a long and productive career.

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Plot Keywords:

undercover agent | money laundering | corruption | drug cartel | based on true story | 

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Taglines:

The true story of one man against the biggest drug cartel in history

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language throughout, some sexual content and drug material

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the actual operation, Robert Mazur recruited his friend, the late Eric Wellman, to provide an array of persuasive props. "Eric had an investment company, a mortgage business, a jewelry chain, a Rolls Royce, an air charter service with a private jet, all types of resources that I couldn't have gotten as an agent because law enforcement doesn't have all that inventory," Mazur laughed. Wellman is portrayed in the movie by actor Mark Holden.

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Goofs

A character is seen wearing a Milwaukee Brewers jersey with a "Brewers" wordmark that hadn't been introduced in 1985.

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Quotes

Robert Mazur: Roberto, I am glad you are here. But there is a part of me that wishes you hadn't taken that risk.
Roberto Alcaino: Without family or friends what kinda world it is be. There will be no reason to be alive. Hmm? It's a good day.

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Connections

References Doublecrossed (1991)

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Soundtracks

Heavy Loss
Written by Allyce Engelson & Luke Mertz
Performed by Motion Cntrl
Courtesy of Motion Cntrl

User Reviews

Well acted character study - NOT an action film

I heard grumblings from two guys who were leaving the theater behind me after seeing THE INFILTRATOR that this movie did not have nearly enough action/bloodshed for them. I think they were expecting another SCARFACE or GOODFELLAS. That is not what this movie is. This movie is a character study of a man who goes undercover with the Pablo Escobar drug cartel and develops relationships/friendships with these bad guys in order to bring them down. The real conflict in this film is not the action, but rather, the RE-ACTION of "the infiltrator" - will he remember that he is just playing a role to bring down the bad guys, or will he lose himself in the role and the relationships and become a bad guy himself?

If you are looking for an action movie, this movie will be a little too slow for you. If you are looking for good acting and a strong character study, then this is a very enjoyable film.

Much of that enjoyment hinges on the performance of Bryan Cranston as Robert Mazur, "The Infiltrator". We follow him as he dives deep into this criminal organization. Cranston is in about 90% of the scenes of this movie, so his performance better be strong or this will be one long movie, indeed. Fortunately for us, his performance is better than strong. He continues his string of fascinating/watchable performances and he more than anchors this film and makes it worth watching.

Ably assisting him is a strong supporting cast - Amy Ryan (as his boss), Jason Issaacs (somewhat wasted as the District Attorney), Benjamin Bratt (as one of the main bad guys), Olympia Dukakis (in a fun turn as his aunt) and Diane Kruger (defying age as another agent posing as his fiancé - when I first saw her I thought "that's a young Diane Kruger" until I realized it WAS Diane Kruger!). Finally, John Leguizamo as Mazur's partner, Emir Abreu is TERRIFIC. The best performance I've seen from him in quite some time. If this movie was a little better and a little later in the season, I'd be touting him for an Academy Award nomination.

If you want blood, guts and action, wait for the Jason Bourne film. If you want an interesting, gripping film that is well acted check out the Infiltrator - you'll be glad you did!

7 (out of 10 stars) and you can take that to the Bank (of Marquis)

Details

Official Sites:

Mongrel Media Official Facebook

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 July 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Infiltrator

Filming Locations:

London, Greater London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,303,775, 17 July 2016

Gross USA:

$15,436,808

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,011,110

Company Credits

Production Co:

George Films, Good Films Collective, Lipsync Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1