The Story:
Small-time crook Alvin Sanders (Jamie Foxx) is doing time next to a big-time robber (Robert Pastorelli) who stole some gold. He's hidden it, and won't tell the Feds or his partner (Doug Hutchison) where it's hidden. However, as he's suffering a heart attack in prison, he passes a message about the possible whereabouts of the gold. Agent Clenteen (David Morse) decides to free Alvin from jail, and using some high-tech dentistry, he now has some bait out on the streets to either lead him to the gold, the partner, or preferably both.
A star was born.
Okay, technically, Jamie Foxx showed he could be a star in Any Given Sunday, but Bait was his chance to shine as the leading man...
And he does an admirable job.
He is solid as an actor, and he tosses off his one-liners with the best of them, keeping a light edge to an otherwise gritty thriller.
It is amusing watching him frustrate the Feds with his decisions as they use him as an unwitting accomplice. He makes decision after decision that literally drive them crazy, and they pretty much want to kill him as much as the bad guy does.
Foxx has come a long way since then with his Oscar winning performances in Ray and his outstanding work in Django Unchained.
Want to go back and see where it all began 13 years ago? Give this one a whirl again.
Final Grade: B-
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nothing earth-shattering, but it was fun to revisit after over a decade. Holds up pretty well.
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