“Inside Man” by Spike Lee is a loving tribute to the city of New York and “A Dog’s Afternoon” by Sidney Lumet infused with post-9/11 anxieties, an eclectic cast and unexpected twists and turns. Stylish and thrilling, this popcorn flick chronicles a game of wits between law enforcement officers and bank robbers as they try to get the hostages out safely. All of this takes place against a backdrop of corruption on Wall Street and a bank owner with blood on his hands.

There is palpable tension between Keith Frazier, who wants to become a detective after being falsely accused of stealing money during a drug bust, and the thief, Dalton Russell, who claims he will execute “the perfect bank robbery.” Spike Lee offered these two lead roles to Denzel Washington, who had appeared in several of his other films such as “Mo’ Better Blues”, “Malcolm and “He’s got some game.” As Spike Lee told GamesRadar+ (formerly Total Film)“When you’re dealing with someone like Denzel, you don’t dictate to him what role he’s going to play.” Denzel Washington’s reputation and relationship with Spike Lee gave him carte blanche, so who 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 the whole movie!” (via GamesRadar+) Clive Owen had similar concerns about the role when Spike Lee offered him the role of thief Dalton Russell since he was hidden with a mask and sunglasses throughout the storyline. Owen explains to GQ in a breakdown of its most iconic characters that the script was adjusted to include a few moments revealing his face. These end up being some of the best scenes in the film because they are very limited, including the intriguing opening where he breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience with his sneaky shots and Shakespeare references.

Clive Owen mentions in his GQ interview that Spike Lee told him he needed someone who could “take on Denzel because he’s so strong.” Owen’s steady, cool demeanor is the perfect counterbalance to Washington’s charismatic arrogance. The showmanship and confidence that Washington brings to many of his performances was ideal for the role of Frazier, making his quick thinking and determination to solve the case much more urgent. Clive Owen is known for his roles with a quieter intensity. Although both are incredible actors and could have easily swapped roles, their distinct performance styles fit the characters perfectly, making the cat and mouse game between them even more exciting to watch.