Review of The Insider (1999) by Tyler M — 31 Mar 2012
What got broken here doesn't go back together.
Russell Crowe and Al Pacino will own you in this tense legal thriller.
The Story: Based on the true story of Jeffery Wygant, a former employee of a big tobacco company. He also knows a lot of vital information about his former employer. Lowell Bergman is a producer for 60 Minutes, looking for an inside perspective on the tobacco industry for a big story. The main focus here though, is Wygant. Struggling to do the right thing morally and keep his family safe at the same time, his world is torn apart piece by piece. He is pushed to the limit as big tobbaco tries to silence him. It's a solid two and a half hours, so you're in for the long haul, but it moves at a pretty fast pace so you'll hardly notice it's length.
The Cast: Russell Crowe, Al Pacino...Russell Crowe plays Jeffery Wygant, and he plays flawlessly. Delivering a powerful performance from beginning to end. I've seen him in several other films but this one, to me, is his finest performance. This IS Russell Crowe at his best. If you don't fear for him, feel his his pain, his sadness, or his anger, than something is terribly wrong with you. Al Pacino is equally powerfull as Lowell Bergman, the man fighting to get the truth out there. These two deliver amazing performances, each and every line will hit you like a ton of bricks. That's power.
One to Five Scale: 5.
Two and a half hours seems to fly by with this film. The performances are some of the strongest I've ever seen in any film. If you don't see this than you're truely missing out on a lot.
Tyler.
This review of The Insider (1999) was written by Tyler M on 31 Mar 2012.
The Insider has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
