Review of The Insider (1999) by Cameron J — 17 Jun 2011

In this film, Russell Crowe's exposing the corruption in the tobacco industry. Ironically, he's actually a smoker himself and is looking to quit. Sure, he says that now, but he's gonna need that nerve-settle simulator on the set of his next film "Man With the Iron Fist". After the box-office flop that was "The Next Three Days", he's having to resort to doing a movie by the RZA from Wu-Tang Clan. I can see him sitting in his dressing room, taking a drag and saying "Eh, it's a livin'." The only way you can laugh at that joke is if you think about just how bad Russell Crowe is doing after being dropped from the A-list after his last movie's financial failure. So, I've called him fat, brought up his telephone-throwing and now I'm emphasizing how his career was damaged by his last film. Man, I'm a jerk, but it's so much fun to mock that slouch-eyed son of a gun.

Of course, as much as I rag on ol' Rusty Crowe, he's in better shape than Al Pacino. Hey Scarface, how much did "88 Minutes" make? 88 dollars? But, that's now and we're suppose to be discussing one of their big, great movies from back then. Granted, it does suffer from some slowness, some periodic unengagement, some choppy editing and a somewhat out-of-place score at points.

In spite of this, the film is supported by a predominantly smooth pace, fine cenimatography, very good dialogue, a good ending and extreme compellingness and fantastic performances, particularly from Pacino and Crowe. These two leads are balanced in their significance and are evenly focused-upon. This really complements their sharp chemistry that makes the film so compelling. Ultimately, "The Insider" may slow down from time to time, but when it picks up, - as it most often does - it charges on as a fascinating and deeply compelling political thriller instant classic.