The Infiltrator

Oh, my wow – Bryan Cranston certainly impresses as much as he did in Breaking Bad.

Based on the true story of Colombian drug lord and trafficker Pablo Escobar and his army of loyal cartels in late 80’s Florida, The Infiltrator was originally a book written by U.S special agent Robert Mazur about his five years undercover. Robert Mazur (portrayed by Cranston) poses as Robert Musella, a corrupt businessman that manages to make a tight alliance with Escobar’s inner circle of drug lords. The film boasts a credible and talented cast including Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo and Benjamin Bratt, and they certainly do not disappoint.

It’s tense from the get-go, with Cranston busting a rouge cocaine dealer in a bowling alley, and the tension only rises as the film goes on. The cinematography and visual palette is rich and quick, using close-ups when necessary to deliver the poignant information of a potentially complex plot – it could be argued that director Brad Furman used one too many, however.

Kathy Ertz (Kruger) certainly proves herself after her first appearance as Mazur’s “fiancé” coming across as young and naive. She quickly becomes a key component to the operation, taking chances and schmoozing with Roberto Alcaino (Bratt), the Chilean jeweller and Medellin cartel member, and his wife. Alcaino (as Escobar’s main contact) and his family are quick to become the new best friends of soon-to-be wed “Mazur and Ertz”, which we are aware is a dangerous path to cross. Dodged bullets, bloody packages and suspect comments later, it’s obvious Mazur is past the point of crossing a dangerous path.

The Infiltrator is no doubt a tense and gripping thriller that will seize its audience by the throat, enough to make any viewer shout “Oh, my God” at high volume. Some of the scenes are somewhat predictable, but this can’t be helped when based on a true story in which most of us will already be moderately familiar.

The success of this film is certainly owed to Cranston’s authentic performance along with the captivating, dangerous yet glamorous untold story of one of the wealthiest criminals in history, “The King of Cocaine”.   

                                                                             

Hannah Staunton

The Infiltrator is released nationwide on 16^th September 2016.

Watch the trailer for The Infiltrator here: