‘Infiltrator’ actors stand out in mediocre tale of ’86 Colombian drug bust

What it’s about

News flash — Government agents good, drug dealers bad.

Despite some strong performances, the disappointing crime drama “The Infiltrator” suffers from a mediocre script that is formatted like a TV series procedural, with little finesse and very by-the-book pedestrian dialogue.

Directed with heavy hands by Brad Furman, who made the decent “The Lincoln Lawyer” but also the unwatchable “Runner Runner,” this film unfortunately brings nothing new to the genre.

His mother, Ellen Sue Brown wrote the screenplay, adapted from U.S. customs official Robert Mazur’s book, and apparently used a “Law and Order” template.

Based on the true story of the unprecedented 1986 drug bust of the Pablo Escobar Medellin Colombian drug cartel, the movie focuses on Mazur’s undercover work and his ability to ingratiate himself into the inner circle of nefarious illegal operations.

This time, Mazur (Bryan Cranston) poses as a high-stakes money launderer. He’s aided by agent Emir Abreau (John Leguizamo), who works the streets for information, and newbie Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger), who is quite savvy acting as his worldly fianceé.

They exposed corrupt bankers who greedily deposited the dirty money, and brought down the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

But there are mind games to deal with when you’re deep into the world of drug lords — extravagant lifestyles, seamy decadence and violent thug outbursts in a nano-second.

Can Mazur hold on to his integrity or will his wholesome family life and marriage be compromised?

Performances: Bryan Cranston (”Trumbo”) fully inhabits Mazur’s dual life, providing nuances to the devoted family man and his cunning work as an affluent, smooth financier with shady clients. It’s a terrific performance, and one wishes he had better material.

There is better writing in 10 minutes of Cranston’s tour de force “Breaking Bad” than all 127 minutes of this bloated story.

Diane Kruger (”Inglorious Basterds”) is equally strong as the agent new to undercover work.

Benjamin Bratt (”Ride Along 2”) suavely portrays Roberto Alcaino, who is in charge of Escobar’s Miami operation and trusts Mazur enough to hang with their significant others. A rude awakening awaits — and has all the subtlety of a lightning bolt.

As the special undercover unit’s boss, Amy Ryan (”Bridge of Spies”) spouts lines straight out of a 1970s Quinn-Martin production.

Michael Pare (”Eddie and the Cruisers”) has a memorable but brief turn as a criminal witness while Juliet Aubrey (”The Constant Gardener”) wrings all the non-verbal emotion from her role as the fretful spouse Evelyn Mazur.

What works

The film’s period look sets the stage for the 1980s excesses and the cocaine supply-and-demand scenario.

What doesn’t work

This very fascinating story of the biggest drug bust in U.S. history would make a good movie in better hands. It’s a shame fine work by the actors is wasted in a story that goes nowhere.

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 11:15 AM with the headline "‘Infiltrator’ actors stand out in mediocre tale of ’86 Colombian drug bust."