Roll-M: Movie Review |
The Insider (starring Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Gina Gershon; written by Eric Roth & Michael Mann, based on a magazine article by Marie Brenner; directed by Michael Mann; rated R for strong language).
Whether you’re a fan of the highly rated TV newsmagazine "60 Minutes" or not, this picture is guaranteed to keep you in your seat, spellbound for all of its 2 ½ hours. Al Pacino plays Lowell Bergman, a hard-hitting reporter for the show, who convinces a former Brown & Williamson tobacco company employee to turn whistle-blower. Russell Crowe plays Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, the former scientist who was fired from that tobacco company when he objected to their policy of chemical additions to make cigarettes a more potent "nicotine delivery system." His non-disclosure agreement leads to a moral and personal conflict -- save thousands, perhaps millions of lives by acquiescing to pressure to give "60 Minutes" reporter Bergman an interview -- but at the risk of his career, family and perhaps even his life (mysterious death threats abound). He eventually yields to Bergman’s constant prodding, and his life does indeed begin to unravel. Worse, when Bergman doesn’t receive the support he thought he had from "60 Minutes" producers and staff (including star Mike Wallace, portrayed with an eerie resemblance by Christopher Plummer), the film turns another corner and the drama intensifies even more.
This is a film about power – who has it, how to use it, how to destroy it. Absolute power makes for a powerful film, absolutely. Mann knows how to create drama laced with tension and mystery. He has produced and directed much of TV’s "Miami Vice," and film credits include Heat, The Last of the Mohicans and Thief. Chalk up another one for Mann and his team -- this is the best picture released so far this year.
*Note – Hollywood has a tradition of releasing its best flicks at year’s end, so they will be fresh in the minds of the Academy voters. The Insider is bound to be one of the biggest contenders. But watch for a bumper crop of cinema cream rising to the top all during December.
FIVE OWLS OUT OF FIVE – A MUST SEE!