The Infiltrator

There's nothing in The Infiltrator that we haven't seen before, but it's done so well, we don't mind seeing them again.  As directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer), this is a compelling and slow burning thriller about a topic (namely infiltrating drug cartels in Miami in the 1980s) that is normally handled with gritty action and tension.  But this doesn't make the film any less fascinating.  In fact, it feels all the more interesting, because the movie allows us access into its world with a palpable intensity. 

The film is based on the true story of Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston), a federal agent who took on the identity of a money launderer in order to get close ties to highly placed people in the drug cartel scene in Miami.  With his weathered and cracked face, Robert does not exactly fit the image of an undercover agent.  The movie is also somewhat unconventional, as instead of hitting the streets to take out the drug problem, Robert suggests to his boss (Amy Ryan) that they stall Pablo Escobar's flow of money, so that the drugs can't reach the street.  So, he takes on the guise of a money launderer, and with the help of his partner Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo), he starts making contacts within Escobar's personal inner circle.  This eventually leads up to Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt), one of the drug kingpin's top underlings, whom Robert builds a trusting relationship with.

Even if The Infiltrator is not exactly filled with gunfights and action sequences, the movie is never short on tension.  There is a sense that at any minute, Robert's cover could be blown, and a few moments where he is forced to lie or cover up in order to survive.  In one of the film's more memorable moments, Robert is out with his wife for an anniversary dinner, when one of his contacts from within the drug world spots him, and he must pretend that his wife is his secretary for her own safety.  There are plenty of moments where his double life can come crashing down at an moment, and the consequences could not only be deadly to him, but also to his family.  There's hardly a scene where we don't feel like Robert is constantly on the move mentally to make sure he is not found out, and that creates a constant sense within the film that anything could go wrong.

This non-stop sense of tension, combined with the strong performances, are what make it work so well.  Now that his obligations to Breaking Bad are over, Cranston can finally become the film star that he is destined to be, and that is no more apparent than here.  He has to pull off a wide range of emotions as he is dragged deeper into the world of the drug kingpins, all the while not displaying his fears or genuine distrust of the people he is forced to surround himself.  It's an stirring performance, one of the better of the summer movie season.  Equally strong is John Leguizamo as his partner, who doesn't get as many straight dramatic roles as he should.  And although she is somewhat underused, Diane Kruger as a fellow undercover agent who must pose as Robert's fiance is also excellent.  Rounding out the lead cast is Benjamin Bratt, who gives a very smooth and low key, but no less intimidating performance.

It's actually amazing that the film works as well as it does, as it feels like The Infiltrator got hacked up quite a bit during its time in the editing room before it hit the big screen.  There are some moments that are not explained very well, such as when Robert receives a threatening package in the mail at his house, even though there's no way the drug dealers could have known his real home address.  There are also a number of characters who seem to kind of fade in and out of the narrative at will, and never quite get a chance to stand out, or it feels like a majority of their scenes were cut.  You have to wonder what the film could have been if it had been left alone.  As good as it is now, you can't help but feel that there is a great movie waiting to come out, and hopefully there will be some restored scenes when the film hits home on DVD.

Regardless, this is still strong adult summer entertainment, and the inherent tension that the film creates as well as the performances makes it worth watching, despite some flaws when it comes to the storytelling.  If anything, it makes the viewer excited for any future performances Cranston may have lined up. 

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