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Plot: On the edge of exposing one of the decade's most incendiary public health issues, "60 Minutes" television producer Lowell Bergman must convince former tobacco industry insider Dr. Jeffrey Wigand to re...( read more read more... )veal the truth about the practices of cigarette companies, although the consequences to his career and family may be ruinous.

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Recent Reviews


  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    October 11, 2008
    http://video.movies.go.com/insider/index_flash.html

    Based on the article "The Man Who Knew Too Much," THE INSIDER depicts the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a successful scientist who is fired from the Brown & Williamson tobacco company for objecting to certain lab tests. He signs a confidentiality agreement to ease the company's nervousness, but when hotshot 60 MINUTES producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) recruits Wigand to help him decipher some technical documents, he realizes that there's a bigger story hiding inside Wigand. Eventually Bergman convinces him to break the agreement and sit for an interview with Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). The resulting media frenzy causes Wigand to lose the support of his family and forces Bergman to confront the harsh reality of his business. Additionally, Wigand is recruited by the state of Mississippi to testify on its behalf that cigarettes are, in fact, addictive. To pay the rent, he begins teaching high school chemistry, waiting for Bergman to convince the network to air the piece. Buckling under corporate pressure, CBS pulls the plug, which sparks Bergman to leak information to the press. As Wigand deals with his personal dilemma, Bergman battles the corporation that begins to show its true colors. Both men must decide for themselves if they've made the right choices. Like his other films THIEF, MANHUNTER, and HEAT, director Michael Mann takes on the theme of a man trying to do the right thing while trapped by circumstances that could destroy him. Once again Mann pulls terrific performances from his entire cast. Crowe is outstanding as Jeff Wigand, the beleaguered insider who risks everything for the truth. Pacino is suitably tenacious as the once-radical producer Bergman, and Christopher Plummer is excellent as news anchor Mike Wallace. With its brilliant performances and stunning cinematography, THE INSIDER is an emotionally intense film that reveals the consequences of standing up for the truth.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 27, 2008
    Tremendolously brilliant movie. Gritty realism, that makes you feel like you;re watching a documentaly. Extremely superb performances from Crowe, Pacino and Plummer. In depth character development that allows you to place yourself in the shoes of each person. Everyday dialogue adds another dimension to the movies realism.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    September 22, 2008
    Hands down one of the greatest legal drama/suspense-thrillers ever made. Dare I say it's Michael Mann's masterpiece. There's very little action and the majority of the film consists of long stretches of heavy dialogue. And yet every time I watch it, I'm completely riveted. You can just feel the tension and suspense building as the story unfolds. Crowe and Pacino are both pitch-perfect in their roles, the direction and cinematography are top notch, and Mann's script kicks fucking ass. It's also one of the best films about journalism I've ever seen.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    September 22, 2008
    Well made suspense thriller has great performances all around. Great true story solidified by an intense Al Pacino and Christopher Plummer. And this is probably my favorite Russel Crowe role.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    September 4, 2008
    Illuminating.The culminating movie balanced between facts and protest,dark and brooding melancholy all over.Be prepared for this ride isn't your classic Mann.It's surpassing.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 3, 2008
    "Michael Mann is someone who knows how to make a film, I mean really knows. Even when I don't particularly like the film (Manhunter and Miami Vice being examples) I still can't deny the sheer technical know-how that Mann possesses. The Insider just adds to the list of his films that are clearly batting at level above a lot of others; this is a riveting and utterly captivating motion picture."

    Full Review Here
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    July 30, 2008
    I was very tired when I watched this, but it was intense enough to keep me awake the whole time even though I couldn't process all of the story's technicalities. The film is a lot like Michael Clayton.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    July 29, 2008
    Good quality movie but didn't succeed to captivate me. Russell Crowe's performance is worth mentioning, one of his best.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 22, 2008
    awesome dramatic performances by al pacino and russell crowe, who are two of the most reliable actors today, in addition to the great and compelling story and good directing
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 16, 2008
    Great motion picture that educates it's viewers about the hazards of smoking and that tells the story of big companies without a sense of responsability for people's health.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 9, 2008
    It's got a very interesting story and both Al Pacino and Russell Crowe had great performance.It shows sometimes the truth costs much more than we thought and it always worth!
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 5, 2008
    LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!! Has all the right mixtures of a super thriller, and Crowe proves he still "has it going on".
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 28, 2008
    was an outstanding movie russell crowe and al pacino at there best was a thrilling story line with twist and turns was well worth the watch

    it got the audience involved and the camera shots and music added to the intense and increased the atmosphere would certainly watch it again
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 28, 2008
    Just once, I would like the spouse of one of these characters (a person who risks his or her life for a moral principle) to say something like, "Fuck 'em, baby. Go for it!" Couldn't we have that just once? Just to try it?
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 1, 2008
    How can one be a true hero in our contemporary times? It's truly remarkable how riveting this film is. In the hands of a lesser filmmaker, it might have come across slightly dull. Right off the bat, it's the emotional attachment we feel for the charactes that keeps us engaged. The obstacles become insanely difficult for both Pacino and Crowe, that we can not help but marvel at their dedication and integrity. Incredible consummate filmmaking. Simply put: Michael Mann at his best and Russell Crowe delivers the performance of his career (even his body language is pitch-perfect.) Lisa Gerrard contributes nicely as well.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 31, 2008
    It's amazing how Mann is able to keep the level of anticipation consistently high on a subject matter that could easily be quite dull. From the moment this film begins, the audience is kept at the edge of their seats. But what's it all really about? Sure we have "the large corporation against the little man", but that's just on the surface. If we look deeper, this is about modern day heroism. Both Lowell Bergman and Jeffery Wigand are men of honour, moral and integrity, willing to risk their own careers, lives and families for doing what's ethically just. Also fascinating is the rare glimpse into the journalistic machine and its pendulum effect on manipulating news to make or break reputations. It's no surprise that the station's loyalty lies only in beating the competition to the punch and getting the best ratings, yet we are so deeply invested in the characters, that we feel the full force and terror of the obstacles thrown at them.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 23, 2008
    the performance that really made russell crowe a bonafide star. visceral filmmaking (though the topic might not seem so visceral in itself). one of those movies that is the absolute best it could have been, if you know what i mean.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    May 19, 2008
    Co-writer/producer/director Michael Mann's seven time Oscar nominated drama is an absolutely excellent, compelling and flawless film in everyway. Al Pacino and Russell Crowe (in his well-deserved Oscar nominated Best Actor turn) are both amazing in their roles. Great director, great script, great supporting cast. An awesome film that everyone should see, plus it proves yet again that 1999 was the greatest year in movies ever.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    April 17, 2008
    Based on the true story of Dr. Wigand, a former tobacco industry chemist who comes under attack when he decides to tell all in a "60 Minutes" episode on the addictive effects of tobacco
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 13, 2008
    Wonderful acting. Russell Crow was wonderful. Awesome dialogue. A great drama, but it was hard to keep my attention on it. It seemed to drag on.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    April 11, 2008
    This movie was pretty suspenseful, most of the way through, and had some interesting twists but all in all this story couldn't carry itself through. Maybe at the time of it's original release it was a hotter issue, but watching it now, if it wasn't for a stellar performance by Crowe, it would have been quite forgettable. I think the problem was that it seemed a lot more BASED on a true story than it seemed a true story. As believable as Crowe's character was, his personal situations that were portrayed were equally unbelievable. Also, as good as Pacino's performance was, there is NO journalist who is that intense. With that being said, this movie still has some entertainment value to it (which includes Pacino's high energy performance) mainly Crowe, who carried this one through and through. It's definitely worth watching, but ignore the hype of the 7 academy award nominations and just enjoy it for what it's worth.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    March 26, 2008
    Well done drama, with exceptional performances from most of the actors especially Crowe. Michael Mann is definitely good at what he does. Special mention to Bruce McGill for his court scene, damn that was impressive acting.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    February 25, 2008
    I think this is one of Al Pacino's best efforts. He should have been nominated. Russell Crowe was transformative. MUST see.

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Comments


  • os99
    This is by far, Russell Crowe's best performance.
    posted 324 days ago
  • ladyp1964
    I hope nobody actually answers the question below here on this page. It would ruin the film for anyone who wants to watch it.
    posted 545 days ago
  • made4you19
    how does this movie end exactly..i didnt quite catch that. they did get the film on tv but wasnt that after some newspaper printed it firsst?? anyone know?
    posted 559 days ago