The Insider (1999) R - 4 Stars

Also known as "Man of the People The Man Who Knew Too Much", this great movie is based on the true story of the big bucks of the tobacco industry trying to stop one man from exposing scientific data proving nicotine has addictive effects the brain and nervous system. Crowe is great in his role off well as Doctor Jeffrey Wigand, a development and scientific head at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., who was fired when he suggested the public be informed on the harmful effects of nicotine. Wigand, goes out on a limb and risks loosing everything, his family, marriage and his reputation, over a binding contract with his former company. I especially liked the scene where Wigand's wall paper comes to life in his head.

Here's the Pacino we all know and love, playing Lowell, a producer for "60 Minutes" that wants to air his piece but legality issues make the CBS heads back down. They feared the tobacco industry has such bottomless pockets, it could easily over take and own CBS, on a technicality clause of Wigand's confidentiality contract. Plummer plays a good imitation of the pompous "60 Minutes" George Wallace. Liberties were taken to make the movie more dramatic but the acting is really good all around.

Doctor Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), has been undergoing scientific research for the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. He is bound by a confidentiality agreement to not share his findings with anyone. When he suggests to his boss Thomas Sandefur (Michael Gambon), of the public having the right to know these findings, he is fired. But Mr. Sandefur knows the company has a lot at stake and begins to threaten Wigand and his family, if they speak to anyone.

Meanwhile, Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), a producer for segments on TV's CBS "60 Minutes", has been mysteriously delivered a stack of important tobacco industry findings and seeks out the expertise of Wigand to decipher the information. In the process, their relationship develops a strong personal bond that eventually will come to a head, as they fight to reveal the truth.

Awards:

1999 - The Insider - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actor
1999 - The Insider - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Cinematography
1999 - The Insider - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
1999 - The Insider - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Picture
1999 - The Insider - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actor
1999 - The Insider - National Board of Review - Best Actor
1999 - The Insider - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actor
1999 - The Insider - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actor

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Director: Michael Mann
Writers: Michael Mann, Eric Roth
Producers: Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge

I viewed 4/09