Review of The Insider (1999) by Danny R — 01 Aug 2015

Michael Mann's intelligent, engrossing thriller is a meticulously crafted film that keeps you as the viewer interested throughout the whole running time, the credit for that must go to Michael Mann's brilliant Academy Award nominated direction, and the magnificent performances of both Al Pacino and Russell Crowe (especially the amazing Russell Crowe, who received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor here).

This true-life story concerns "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman, played brilliantly by Al Pacino, who sniffs a story when a former research biologist and whistle blower for Brown & Williamson, Jeff Wigand, played by Russell Crowe, in a tour-de-force performance, won't talk to him.

When the company leans hard on Wigand to honor a confidentiality agreement, he gets his back up. Trusting Bergman and despite a crumbling marriage, he goes on camera for a Mike Wallace, played flawlessly by a game Christopher Plummer, in an interview in which he risks arrest for contempt of court for exposing the secret chemicals added to cigarettes to make them more addicting.

Westinghouse is negotiating to buy CBS, so CBS attorneys advise CBS News to shelve the interview and avoid a lawsuit. "60 Minutes" and CBS News bosses cave, Wigand is hung out to dry, and is now under attack with his life being threaten.

Bergman is compromised, and the CEOs of Big Tobacco may get away with perjury. Will the truth come to light and win? A compelling drama all the way, which earned 7 Academy Awards nominations including Best Picture, Best Director: Michael Mann and Best Actor: Russell Crowe.

Highly Recommended.