Undercover cop stories are pretty common on the big screen, as are the cinematic exploits of characters trying to climb the ladders of the big drug cartels; it seems everyone has made something in this vein over the past fifty years.  From Serpico to Blow, American Hustle back to The French Connection, Sicario to Narc, this type of film is neither new nor exceptionally exciting.  The Infiltrator, based upon a true story, is not exciting either, at least not until the penultimate sequence — a wedding sequence! — when it really hits its stride.

Brad Furman’s film follows customs agent Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston) as he delves deep undercover to infiltrate the high-stakes world of drug running, following the money from bank to bank, country to country.  The stakes rise, Mazur (using the alias Bob Musella) becomes intertwined with the people behind the money, and genuine feelings become involved.  Meanwhile, Mazur’s partner Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo) is having issues of his own at a dirtier street level, where things can turn rough very quickly.

The plotting is excellent; complex matters are explained or played out satisfactorily without sacrificing tension.  Every once in a while a powerhouse scene develops to remind the audience that one mistake, one wrong move could mean quick, violent death.  It builds to that last twenty minutes or so, when director Furman finally imprints some style, and things really get cooking.  It’s a great finish, yet there are small ironies along the way that illustrate the difficulties and delicacies of Mazur’s position — and that of his phony fiancé, portrayed vividly by Diane Kruger.  It’s a beautifully realized character study more than an action or suspense film.

While none of this is groundbreaking, it is certainly entertaining.  Cranston, Kruger, Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt, Juliet Aubrey, Amy Ryan, Juan Cely, Elena Anaya, Olympia Dukakis and even Michael Paré are all excellent, bringing this story to vivid life.  It’s no Scarface, but I liked it more than American Hustle.  It’s definitely worth a viewing, or two.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  15 July 2016.