JANUARY 2023:

AN INSIDER’S REVIEW…
The Insider, directed by Michael Mann and featuring powerhouse performances by Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, is a gripping and thought-provoking film that delves into the complex world of corporate corruption, whistleblowing, and journalistic integrity. The 1999 film is from a screenplay adapted by Eric Roth and Mann from Marie Brenner‘s 1996 Vanity Fair article “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a well-deserved nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Russell Crowe‘s outstanding performance, the film succeeds in captivating audiences with its tense storytelling and exceptional acting by supporting actors that includes Christopher Plummer, Bruce McGill, Diane Venora and Michael Gambon.
















Set in the late 1990s, The Insider tells the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (played by Crowe), a former vice president of Research & Development turned whistleblower, and Lowell Bergman (played by Pacino), a producer for the CBS News program 60 Minutes. When Wigand decides to reveal damaging information about his former employer, the film explores the harrowing consequences he faces, the journalistic ethics at stake, and the intense pressures from the powerful tobacco industry covering his and Bergman‘s struggles as they defend his testimony against efforts to discredit and suppress it by CBS and Wigand‘s former employer, Brown & Williamson.
















Though not a box office success, The Insider received acclaim from critics, who praised Crowe‘s portrayal of Wigand, and Mann‘s direction. Both Pacino and Crowe deliver riveting performances that elevate the film to another level. Pacino‘s portrayal of Lowell Bergman showcases his trademark intensity, as he conveys the determination and ethical struggles of a journalist torn between pursuing the truth and protecting his source. Crowe, on the other hand, delivers a transformative performance as Jeffrey Wigand, capturing the character’s vulnerability, fear, and internal conflicts with incredible authenticity.









Director Michael Mann‘s meticulous attention to detail and skillful storytelling shine throughout the film. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually, and the cinematography, with its moody lighting and atmospheric shots, adds to the film’s overall sense of unease. Mann successfully creates a visually immersive experience that enhances the narrative and keeps the audience on edge.

The Insider also deserves praise for its exploration of important themes. The film raises profound questions about corporate power, the struggle for truth and justice, and the sacrifices made by whistleblowers in their pursuit of exposing wrongdoing. It forces viewers to confront the complexities of loyalty, personal risk, and the often murky line between journalism and corporate influence. While The Insider is undeniably a compelling and well-crafted film, some viewers might find its deliberate pacing and intricate storytelling approach slightly challenging. Additionally, the film’s focus on the personal journey of Jeffrey Wigand may leave some wanting a more comprehensive examination of the broader issues surrounding the tobacco industry and the impact of his revelations.


Overall, The Insider is a remarkable film that offers a gripping narrative, outstanding performances, and a timely exploration of corporate misconduct and journalistic ethics. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of truth-telling and the immense personal sacrifices individuals often endure in their pursuit of justice. With its stellar cast and meticulous direction, The Insider stands as a compelling and relevant piece of cinema that continues to resonate long after the credits roll.
THE INSIDERS

Al Pacino as Lowell Bergman


Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand


Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace


Diane Venora as Liane Wigand

Philip Baker Hall as Don Hewitt


Lindsay Crouse as Sharon Tiller


Debi Mazar as Debbie De Luca

Renee Olstead as Deborah Wigand

Hallie Kate Eisenberg as Barbara Wigand

Stephen Tobolowsky as Eric Kluster

Colm Feore as Richard Scruggs

![Richard F. "Dickie" Scruggs (born May 17, 1946) is an American former naval aviator and disbarred trial lawyer. He is the brother-in-law of former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Scruggs first came to the public eye after successfully suing the asbestos industry on behalf of ill shipyard workers. He later represented the state of Mississippi in the tobacco litigation of the 1990s. He also represented hundreds of homeowners in lawsuits against insurance companies following Hurricane Katrina, and a national class action of patients against HMOs in the early 2000s.
Scruggs' legal career was derailed by his indictment in a judicial bribery scheme in 2007. Scruggs pled guilty to conspiracy to bribe Circuit Judge Henry L. Lackey in 2008.[4][5] He also entered a 2009 guilty plea for a scheme to influence Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter.
Scruggs was sentenced to five years in prison on June 27, 2008, by U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers; and on February 10, 2009, Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced him to seven years for the second scheme, to run concurrently. He served six years in federal prison and was released in 2014.
Kings of Tort, by Alan Lange and Tom Dawson, released in 2009, documents the rise and fall of Scruggs. The Fall of the House of Zeus: The Rise and Ruin of America's Most Powerful Trial Lawyer, by veteran journalist Curtis Wilkie, was published in 2010.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Richard-Scruggs.jpeg?resize=525%2C791&ssl=1)
Bruce McGill as Ron Motley


Gina Gershon as Helen Caperelli

Michael Gambon as B&W CEO Thomas Sandefur


Cliff Curtis as Sheikh Fadlallah


Jack Palladino as himself


Mike Moore as himself



The Insider is available now to stream on your preferred platform.
Archives
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022