New York City detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) leads an effort to remove Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) and his armed gang from the Manhattan Trust Bank building. Complexities set in when bank chairman Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) seeks the help of power broker Madeline White (Jodie Foster) to prevent the thieves from getting a particular safe deposit box. This fast-paced action film goes in many directions to reach its unexpected ending. 

Planning

This scene starts as Captain John Darius (Willem Dafoe) approaches the diner. Detectives Keith Frazier and Bill Mitchell (Chiwetlel Ejiofor) leave the diner to join Captain Darius. The scene ends after the three men enter the New York Police Department command post after Captain Darius says, “Your call.” The film cuts to Madeline White and Arthur Case walking along a river.

What to Watch for and Ask Yourself

1. Does this scene show strategic or tactical planning?

2. What pieces of the planning type does it specifically show? Give examples from the scene.

3. Do you expect this plan to succeed? Why or why not?