Film Reviews:

JANUARY 2023:

Directed by Michael Mann, Written by Eric Roth, and Michael Mann, Based on "The Man Who Knew Too Much" by Marie Brenner, Produced by Michael Mann, and Pieter Jan Brugge, Starring: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Philip Baker Hall, Lindsay Crouse, Debi Mazar, with Cinematography by Dante Spinotti, Edited by William Goldenberg, Paul Rubell, and David Rosenbloom, Music by Lisa Gerrard, and Pieter Bourke, Production companies: Touchstone Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, and Forward Pass, Distributed by: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. (1999) — **The Insider** **(1999)**

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.

Michael Mann filming the 1999 film, "The Insider" starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Al Pacino as "60 Minutes" Producer Lowell Bergman In "The Insider" (1999). Photo Credit: Getty Images

Russell Crowe as Jeffery Wigand, the Big Tobacco Whistleblower that changed Big Tobacco forever in the 1999 film "The Insider". in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Writer Eric Roth arriving at Bimbo's on May 7, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Photo Credit: Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic

Marie Brenner attends the "Richard Jewell" premiere during AFI FEST 2019 Presented By Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 20, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The Vanity Fair issue featuring Marie Brenner's article, titled, "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1996) Photo Credit: Vanity Fair

The May 1996 Vanity Fair article titled, "The Man Who Knew Too Much" by Marie Brenner and was the basis for the film and screenplay for the 1999 film, "The Insider" starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. Photo Credit: Vanity Fair Archives

"The Insider" Academy Award Nominations: 1. Best Actor - Russell Crowe 2. Best Picture 3. Best Director 4. Best Cinematography 5. Best Adapted Screenplay 6. Best Sound Mixing 7. Best Film Editing Photo Credit: google Images

The 1999 Best Picture Nominees: 1. American Beauty 2. The Cider House Rules 3. The Green Mile 4. The Insider 5. The Sixth Sense Photo Credit: Reddit

Two-time Academy Award winner actor Dustin Hoffman (L) and Robert Rehme (R), president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, announce the nominations for Best Actor category for the Academy Awards in Beverly Hills 15 February, 2000. From L to R are: Russell Crowe in "The Insider," Richard Farnsworth in "The Straight Story," Sean Penn in "Sweet and Lowdown," Kevin Spacey in "American Beauty" and Denzel Washington in "The Hurricane." Photo Credit: MIKE NELSON/AFP via Getty Images

The winner for the Best Actor category for the Academy Awards in Beverly Hills in 2000. From L to R are: Russell Crowe in "The Insider," Richard Farnsworth in "The Straight Story," Sean Penn in "Sweet and Lowdown," Kevin Spacey in "American Beauty" and Denzel Washington in "The Hurricane." The winner was Kevin Spacey for "American Beauty" Photo Credit:Google Images

Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace, the "60 Minutes" anchor for CBS News in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Bruce McGill as Mississippi States Attorney, Ron Motley in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Diane Venora as Liane Wigand, Jeffrey Wigand's wife in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Michael Gambon as Thomas Sandefur, the CEO of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company, and Jeffrey Wigand's boss, in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

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.

Al Pacino as CBS News and "60 Minutes" Producer Lowell Bergman "The Insider" (1999).

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

(L to R) Al Pacino as "60 Minutes" Producer Lowell Bergman, and
Russell Crowe as Jeffery Wigand, the Big Tobacco Whistleblower that changed Big Tobacco forever in the 1999 film "The Insider".

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Russell Crowe as Jeffery Wigand and Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace filming the infamous "60 Minutes" interview with the Big Tobacco Whistleblower in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

(L to R) Al Pacino, Phillip Baker Hall, Steven Tomblowsky, and Christopher Plummer in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

A scene in the 1999 film "The Insider". in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation was a U.S. tobacco company and a subsidiary of multinational British American Tobacco that produced several popular cigarette brands. It became infamous as the focus of investigations for chemically enhancing the addictiveness of cigarettes. Its former vice-president of research and development, Jeffrey Wigand, was the whistleblower in an investigation conducted by the CBS news program "60 Minutes", an event that was dramatized in the film "The Insider" (1999). Wigand claimed that B&W had introduced chemicals such as ammonia into cigarettes to increase nicotine delivery and increase addictiveness. B&W had its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, until July 30, 2004, when the U.S. operations of B&W and BATUS, Inc. merged with R. J. Reynolds, creating a new publicly traded parent company, Reynolds American Inc. Some of its brands had been sold earlier in 1996 to the British tobacco company Imperial Tobacco and British American Tobacco. B&W was also involved in genetically modifying tobacco (notably the controversial Y1 strain)

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.

Michael Mann with Al Pacino filming a scene in the 1999 film, "The Insider", it also stars Russell Crowe.

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Al Pacino as CBS News and "60 Minutes" producer, Lowell Bergman and Russell Crowe as Jeffery Wigand Russell Crowe as Jeffery Wigand, the Big Tobacco Whistleblower that changed Big Tobacco forever in the 1999 film "The Insider". in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

(L to R) Phillip Baker Hall, Al Pacino, and Christopher Plummer in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

Diane Venora and Russell Crowe in the 1999 film "The Insider". in the 1999 film "The Insider". Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

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.

(L to R) Michael Mann directing Al Pacino and Russell Crowe in his 1999 film, "The Insider" (1999)

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

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.

(L to R) Debi Mazar, Al Pacino, Phillip Baker Hall, and Christopher Plummer in the 1999 film "The Insider".

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

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.