🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Les Mayfield
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2005
- Runtime (length): 1h 23min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (52k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A grumpy Samuel L. Jackson kidnaps Eugene Levy because of a mix-up with a gun deal, and they both learn valuable lessons about friendship and the importance of dental hygiene, or something.
🍿 The Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Mistaken Identity
Derrick Vann, a hardened ATF agent, is on a mission to recover stolen firearms and avenge his partner’s death. Meanwhile, Andy Fiddler, a dental supply salesman, arrives in Detroit for a convention. A case of mistaken identity throws Andy into the middle of Vann’s operation, as criminals believe him to be the arms buyer.

Forced Partnership
Vann, realizing the situation, reluctantly uses Andy to his advantage, forcing him to pose as ‘The Man’ in the arms deal. Andy, completely out of his element, tries to navigate the dangerous world of crime while dealing with Vann’s abrasive personality. Their contrasting personalities lead to humorous and chaotic situations.

Navigating the Criminal Underworld
As Vann and Andy delve deeper into the criminal underworld, they face various challenges, including double-crosses and close calls. Andy’s naivety and constant questioning test Vann’s patience, but they slowly begin to understand and rely on each other. The unlikely duo uncovers a larger conspiracy that puts their lives at risk.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Derrick Vann (Samuel L. Jackson): A hardened ATF agent determined to avenge his partner’s death and recover stolen weapons, despite his untrusting nature.
- Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy): An affable dental supply salesman mistaken for a dangerous criminal, thrusting him into a world of gun deals and unlikely partnerships.
- Joey Kane (Luke Goss): The ruthless leader of a gun-smuggling ring, who is skeptical of Vann and Fiddler’s true intentions.
- Agent Peters (Miguel Ferrer): The Internal Affairs agent investigating Vann, suspecting him of corruption and involvement in his partner’s death.
- Lt. Rita Carbone (Susie Essman): Vann’s tough and skeptical boss at the ATF, who struggles to trust his methods.
- Booty (Anthony Mackie): Vann’s street-smart informant who gets caught in the crossfire of the investigation.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Special Agent Derrick Vann: “I grazed you.” – Vann’s matter-of-fact response after accidentally shooting Andy in the butt during a chase.
- Andy Fidler: “You shot me!” – Andy’s incredulous reaction after being shot, highlighting his innocence and shock.
- Andy Fidler: “He’s my bitch.” – Andy unexpectedly declares this to the bad guys about Agent Vann in an effort to turn the tables.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $33,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,330,720
- Worldwide Gross: $13,485,145
💥 The Man Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘The Man’ isn’t winning any awards, but I secretly enjoyed it. Eugene Levy’s awkwardness paired with Samuel L. Jackson’s straight-man routine had a certain charm. I actually laughed out loud when Eugene Levy’s character accidentally insulted the cab driver with the foreign name. Is it high art? Absolutely not. But sometimes you just need a silly, predictable buddy-cop movie, and this hits the spot. Plus, the ending, with Samuel L Jackson in the hospital after getting shot in the keister, was the perfect way to end the movie.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of buddy cop comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy Samuel L. Jackson’s comedic roles”
- “Fans of Eugene Levy”
- “People looking for a lighthearted action-comedy”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Profanity”
- “Crude humor”
- “Some violence”
- “Suggestive Dialogue”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the comedic talents of Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy, The Man is a tired, predictable buddy cop movie with little originality or genuine laughs. The chemistry isn’t very good either, and the humor feels uninspired.
- Entertainment Weekly: “The Man tries to be a hilarious buddy cop movie but fails. The script and story are predictable and uninspired and it doesn’t make great use of talent from Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy. Fart jokes, and lots of other humor is predictable and cliché.
- AllMovie: “The Man is not entirely terrible, but also not good. There’s an okay chemistry between actors, and a few funny bits, however the story is uninspired and very predictable. It’s an okay film to put on if you have nothing better to do, but you might regret it.
Audience Reactions
Eugene Levy’s over-the-top antics made me laugh despite myself.: Some viewers appreciated the chemistry between Jackson and Levy, finding their interactions humorous.
It’s silly, predictable, and exactly what I expected from a buddy-cop comedy.: Others found it entertaining as a light-hearted, undemanding watch.
Overall Consensus: Generally considered a weak buddy-cop comedy with a few redeeming qualities, mostly due to the actors involved. A forgettable but potentially amusing way to spend an afternoon.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, standing in for Detroit, Michigan.”
- “Several scenes were filmed at St. Eugene Elementary School in Hamilton.”
- “Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie later appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury and Falcon, respectively.”
- “The film utilizes classic buddy cop tropes, emphasizing the contrast between the characters for comedic effect.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Man?
As of October 2024, ‘The Man’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast schedules.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Man, you might like these similar films:
- 48 Hrs. (1982): A classic buddy cop film where a hardened cop is forced to team up with a criminal for 48 hours to solve a case, setting the standard for the mismatched partners trope.
- Midnight Run (1988): An action comedy featuring a bounty hunter and an accountant on the run, with a focus on character development and comedic interactions amidst dangerous situations.
- Rush Hour (1998): A high-energy action comedy with a mismatched cop duo from different cultures who must learn to work together, providing plenty of humor and action.
🛒 The Man Related Products
- Pulp Fiction (Blu-ray): Relive Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic performance in this Quentin Tarantino masterpiece. Own the Blu-ray for stunning visuals and unforgettable dialogue.
- American Pie Unrated (DVD): Experience Eugene Levy’s hilarious fatherly advice in its uncensored glory. This DVD is packed with extra scenes and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Toy Gun: Modeled after the guns in the movie, this collectable Toy gun is fun and safe to play with.
- Official Motion Picture Soundtrack to Pulp Fiction [Soundtrack]: This vinyl record contains a collection of famous songs from the movie pulp fiction.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘The Man’ was primarily filmed in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, standing in for Detroit.
‘The Man’ is a buddy cop action-comedy, blending action sequences with comedic interactions between the two lead characters.
‘The Man’ is about an ATF agent and a dental supply salesman who are forced to work together after a case of mistaken identity entangles them in an illegal arms deal.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Want to relive some of the best moments from the original Spider-Man movie? This video compiles five awesome clips, so it’s a perfect way to get your Spidey senses tingling again!
She understood the assignment #shorts #movie #insideman #viral #trending
Remember that iconic scene from Inside Man? This short captures a key moment that is truly unforgettable! It’s quick, hilarious, and reminds you why this movie is so darn good.
The bad Spider-Man 😎 #spiderman #shirts #movie
Curious to see a different take on Spider-Man? This short, while humorous, offers a unique perspective that just might give you a chuckle.
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