Bryan Cranston’s 2016 film,The Infiltrator, is an excellent follow-up toBreaking Bad, but it’s also a reminder to watch an underrated 2000s crime thriller. Cranston leadsThe Infiltrator’scastas Robert Mazur, a real-life figure who went undercover with the cartels in the 1980s, helping law enforcement take down major players that worked directly with Pablo Escobar, including Bank of Credit and Commerce International, the seventh-largest private bank in the world that was used in drug-related money laundering schemes.
The Infiltrator’sreal-life story and changes for the film are interesting to explore, especially since the movie is based on Robert Mazur’s memoir of the same name.Mazur went undercover with the guise of “Bob Musella,” earning the trust of drug lords and corrupt bankersalike. The movie might not be as well-made as some of the mostincredible crime movies, but it’s grounded in realism with Mazur’s true story and experiences at its core.
Michael Mann Told Robert Mazur To Write The Infiltrator Memoir While Working On Miami Vice
The Instigator Wouldn’t Exist Without Miami Vice
In a 2017 interview withThe Tampa Bay Times, Robert Mazur revealed thatit was legendary filmmaker Michael Mann who inspired him to tell his story. Mazur spent decades in law enforcement, working on a variety of cases before eventually retiring. On the 2006 filmMiami Vice, he served as a technical advisor, helping the production nail its authentic portrayal of drug-related Miami crime, as Michael Mann has always been keen on having an astute sense of detail in his movies.
Apparently, Mazur told Michael Mann his stories on set, and the director encouraged the idea that they would make for an excellent film. The catch was that Mazur would likely need to tell his story in book format first, which would ease the process of having a screenplay and feature film made about its contents. Thisled Robert Mazur to write his memoir, with the 2016 film written as an adaptationby Ellen Brown Furman and directed by Brad Furman.
The Infiltrator: How Long The Real Robert Mazur Spent Undercover
The real Robert Mazur, who inspired the character in The Infiltrator, uncovered explosive evidence to take down Pablo Escobar’s cartel.
Why Miami Vice Is The Perfect Follow-Up To The Infiltrator
Miami Vice Is A Stylized, Atmospheric Crime Drama With Great Actors
While notMichael Mann’s best film,Miami Vicehas developed something of a cult following over time. It’s a fairly convoluted movie about drug crime and murder based on the iconic TV show from the 1980s. Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx deliver terrific performances as the leads, and Michael Mann establishes a unique atmosphere that can lure in viewers, similar to what he does inHeatandCollateral. For anyone who’s recently enjoyedThe Infiltratorwhile it’s trended on Netflix,Miami Viceis a terrific follow-up, and the theatrical cut is recommended.
Sources:The Tampa Bay Times
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is a 2006 film directed by Michael Mann, following undercover detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs as they navigate the dangerous world of drug lords and murder in South Florida, with Crockett becoming romantically involved with a trafficker’s wife.
