Gina Gershon Movie:

				Label: Buena Vista Salesrank:
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
As revisionist history, Michael Mann's intelligent docudrama The Insider is a simmering brew of altered facts and dramatic license. In a broader perspective, however, the film (cowritten with Forrest Gump Oscar-winner Eric Roth) is effectively accurate as an engrossing study of ethics in the corruptible industries of tobacco and broadcast journalism. On one side, there is Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), the former tobacco scientist who violated contractual agreements to expose Brown & Williamson's inclusion of addictive ingredients in cigarettes, casting himself into a vortex of moral dilemma. On the other side is 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), whose struggle to report Wigand's story puts him at odds with veteran correspondent Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer) and senior executives at CBS News.

As the urgency of the story increases, so does the film's palpable sense of paranoia, inviting favorable comparison to All the President's Men. While Pacino downplays the theatrical excess that plagued him in previous roles, Crow is superb as a man who retains his tortured integrity at great personal cost. The Insider is two movies--a cover-up thriller and a drama about journalistic ethics--that combine to embrace the noble values personified by Wigand and Bergman. Even if the details aren't always precise (as Mike Wallace and others protested prior to the film's release), the film adheres to a higher truth that was so blatantly violated by tobacco executives seen in an oft-repeated video clip, lying under oath in the service of greed. --Jeff Shannon

The Insider [Region 2] Reviews:
About the DVD screen format !!
2009-09-13 - It is 2.35 Anamorphic

The only thing I noticed unusual is that the horiz. black bars are uneven, 33% on top and 66% on bottom. Its not 50/50 or horiz. centered as with most other 2.35:1. It's NOT a BIG DEAL, just a little horiz. offset.

Great Movie, still worth purchasing !!





prophetic
2009-07-09 - Two of my very favorite actors do not disappoint! Crowe & Pacino are riveting in this suspenseful drama. Well crafted, brilliantly acted, highly prophetic story line (won't give away the plot).

One of the Best Political-Thrillers I've Ever Seen
2009-04-15 - Whether you care about the politics of The Insider or not, as far as sheer entertainment goes this film will hook you instantly.

The film is directed by Michael Mann, with a script by Mann and Oscar-winner Eric Roth. Mann is a talented director with just a few failures under his belt. The Insider is one of his strongest directorial efforts and also one of his most overlooked (despite being nominated for 7 Academy Awards in 1999).

The film is based on a true story with some added content for dramatic effect. Russell Crowe plays Dr. Jeff Wigand, recently fired from his job at one of the biggest tobacco companies in America where he worked as a tobacco scientist. Al Pacino plays "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman, who sees the ultimate insider in Wigand. The problem is, Wigand has a confidentiality agreement with the company and with an asthmatic daughter he doesn't want to lose his medical coverage that was part of his severance package. Of course, the more Wigand discloses to Bergman, the more the truth comes out about corruption in the tobacco industry.

And it wouldn't be a political-thriller without Wigand being follows and receiving death threats.

I doubt much of the talk about the harmful effects of nicotine and cigarettes will be entirely new to viewers, yet this doesn't keep both the film and Wigand's testimony from being riveting.

In a film that's already very well-made, the stand-out was the acting. Pacino, Crowe, and Christopher Plummer (as "60 Minutes" anchor Mike Wallace) are all at the top of their form. Al Pacino is, of course, one of the most highly-regarded actors of all time so this statement isn't too profound. But Pacino is fascinating here, keeping you glued to your screen. The man has a screen presence that is unmatched and delivers some truly Oscar-worthy work here. Crowe plays the conflicted everyman very well. His performance is much more subtle than Pacino's flamboyant one but equally satisfying. Finally, Plummer comes out of left field with his performance, easily one of his best. He just about steals the show from Pacino and Crowe.

First class entertainment with a powerful agenda, The Insider is quite simply a great film. Not only that, it's one of the best films I've seen in the political-thriller genres (in which I'd include films like Syriana (Widescreen Edition) and Michael Clayton (Widescreen Edition)). This is great filmmaking, with a powerful script, explosive acting, and terrific dialogue (made even better by the intense delivery). The awe-inspiring performances of Pacino, Crowe, and Plummer are reason enough to see the film. It might be 2 hours and 33 minutes long, but as you'll see...It flies by.

GRADE: A


Drama Greatness. One of Al Pacino's Greatest performances of screen.
2009-01-27 - An Enthralling story, shot with a granular, visceral, adjusting focus-style that is popular in some of todays best shows, such as Battlestar Gallactica, and some of Micheal Mann's more contemporary films. The acting cast deserves a standing ovation. There isn't a moment of dissapointment in this modern movie classic. More about our Media and the fragil interconnection of politics and real world, with the case of Hope, and its trumpcard effect.

Great Film
2008-10-25 - Watch this film for Russel Crowe's amazing transformation in to Jeffrey Wigand, a scientist and family man tortured with the knowledge that he helped cover up evidence of the disasterous health effects of cigarettes for the tobacco industry. It took me a good 10 minutes to realize that the man on the screen was indeed Crowe - he inhabited his character that well.

Also watch this film because it is a rare Pacino role of the last 10 years where he wasn't just playing himself. The scenes with Pacino and Crowe make you feel that you are watching two real people trying to expose a massive coverup while protecting what they hold dear, and not just two big name Hollywood stars.

The film does run pretty long, but you will be rewarded by two great performances with a number of excellent cameos. Not to mention the evocative imagery and mood created by Michael Mann.