The Insider
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Movie Reviews of The Insider
Movie Review: Very Under-Rated Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I Don't know why i let 5 years pass before i sat down, and watched this film - probably b/c im not the biggest russell crowe fan, w/ that said ,i thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this movie. From the beautiful cinemetography to the wonderful score, capped off by the excellent acting (pacino,plummer,crowe - in that order) one couldn't ask for more. The "taking on big corporations" premise is rarely touched upon by members in hollywood, or if it is - it's very watered down. This film is a social commentary - it dissects how corrupt and to what length corporations will go to get their way. This movie is so deep , and for the thinkers of the world only. Kudos to Mann, w/ each film i watch made by him - the bigger fan i become. Please don't pass this one up.Movie Review: GREAT docudrama
Summary: 5 Stars
I had come to expect good things from Michael Mann after seeing "Heat" and "Collatoral", and had heard that "The Insider" was also worth watching. I heard right as it is now my favorite film from Mann, the story is based on fact about one man who dared to go against the tobacoo company and lost everything because of it. One of the films many strengths are the superb performances by Crowe and Pacino(Duh), they seem as though they could be the actual people who went through the ordeals of all this. Half docudrama half psychological thriller this is a fantastic film not to be missed! My rating 9.5/10.Movie Review: Great direction and acting elevate this smokey story
Summary: 4 Stars
Quick camera movements and hushed dialog heighten the claustrophobia and paranoia faced by Russel Crowe, the putative hero of "The Insider". When the story starts, Wigand is a well-paid research scientist for a cigarette manufacturer. Wigand's manicured home, family and life mirror his life, but when the flick opens, we have the sense that it's already over for him. He's clearly had enough of the cigarette industry, but knows he could lose a severance package negotiated to keep him silent about the workings of his ex-employer's marketing tactics. Al Pacino as Lowell Bergman, a producer for 60 Minutes proves, at about the same time, that he's not afraid to put his personal safety on the line for the story. Christopher Plummer is a surprisingly effective Mike Wallace. In the "Insider", they come together in a sort of manipulative morality tale about corporate greed and nicotine. Though there's no secret about the health risks of chain smoking, Wigand threatens to expose the industry's attempts to make cigarettes more addictive.
Unfortunately, Wigand's attempts to expose his former employers - through both legal action and through an expose on "60 Minutes" runs into obstruction by the industry. Losing his severance package and soon his pretty family, Wigand's life is soon turned upside down. On Bergman's end, his efforts to air Wigand's expose are morphed from a complex story involving well-meaning journalists rendered powerless by questionable law - into a simpler story of noble journalist Davids against the might of corporate Goliaths (the flick shamelessly touts "corporate" as if it were a profane word, as in "did CBS News cave in to CBS Corporate?"). Mike Wallace and Don Hewitt, who probably had no power to resist CBS's initial ban against the Wigand story, are now seen as craven corporate lackeys (Wallace, who is fearless in the face of an Hizbollah bigwig early in the movie, cowers at the thought that he may be reduced to doing NPR if he disobeys orders). Played by Pacino, Bergman is the hero here (the script seems to credit him for leaking the banned story to the print media, even though WSJ is credited with doing it themselves), while Wigand is well meaning to the point of martyrdom.
Unfortunately, this account of dirty tricks and cigarette makers is undone by its own murky paranoia - just how does "Big Tobacco" manage to hold onto their political power the way nicotine holds onto smokers? Least convincing is speed with which the editorial staff at "60 Minutes" caves into corporate pressure to dump the story. It's never really explained how guys who regularly face-off against government bureaucrats, corporate honchos and terrorist leaders in the darkest corners of the new century crumble like a house of cards before big tobacco. There's a huge moral dilemma that never makes it to the story.
For all its murkiness, the film remains evocative and irresistible - great scenes, like Crowe's epiphany in a hotel room, and Pacino's giving a hotel attendant long-distance instruction in the art of talking like Al Pacino. Much of the dialog sounds like a collection of newspaper blurbs, but the story's focus and some unforgettable acting make the insider a story you just can't get yourself out of.
Movie Review: russell crowe found himself into another good flick
Summary: 5 Stars
a standing-o for russell crowe, al picino and the rest of the cast for some really good acting, not to mention the plot which seemingly has a new twist around every corner. you know, i consider a good movie one which you can watch over and over and still find something new about it, something you missed the first few times; the insider is one of these movies. its a shame it didn't win any academy awards with all the nominations.Movie Review: Stands up to multiple viewings
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie should not fade into obscurity. I am a big fan of Russell Crowe, Al Pacino and Michael Mann, and they are all at the top of their craft.