Rating: 
Summary: bien
Review: It's interesting that all this actually happened, but as a movie I'm sure some people will be bored by it. If they had just cut out some of the duller moments, this would probably be 5 stars. But other than that, it was enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting
Review: Man was I upset when this thing ended after just three hours. For anyone who's ever worked in a big glass skyscraper this film is truly cathartic. I think it is too narrow to focus on the journalistic or the tobacco-industry elements of The Insider. Like HEAT before it, Mann's film is a highly dramatized portrayal of ethics in the modern world. Truly a remarkable film that earns everything it asks for from the audience. On a lesser note, I also think it is something really unique when big-budget Hollywood productions such as this one eschew explosions and spaceships to focus on telling a human story. Cheesy as it may sound, I believe a film like this is much closer to gargantuan filmaking than... well let's justs say GLADIATOR.
Rating:
Summary: every element of this movie is fabulous.
Review: russell crowe was astounding.... breathtaking. The music for the film was superb.I don't want to say anything else about it except..... see it.... see it now.
Rating:
Summary: Oh come on, it wasn't THAT long!
Review: Yes this movie was long. Yes it did get a little slow at times. Yes little kids would probably be bored by it. Yes it doesn't deserve 5 stars for that matter. But otherwise, this movie wasn't nearly as bad as some of the other reviews say it is. This is the true story of Jeff Wigand (Russel Crowe), who got fired by the tobacco company for revealing devastating information. Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), who works for CBS, soon finds Wigand to be the perfect insider for 60 Minutes. Bergman then takes on the fight of his career to air the story on CBS and reveal the truth to all of America. This movie has excellent actors, very cool music, and very realistic hand cinematography. Russel Crowe has a way of acting that makes you want to cheer for him (like in Gladiator and Mystery, Alaska), even though here he has the role of a wimpy-looking middle-aged man. The Insider is a great movie. Just a little long, though. Rated R for language, but nothing else. It's a safe bet that most teens should be able to handle it.
Rating:
Summary: The True Best Movie in 1999
Review: Succinctly, one of the finest acting performances ever, by both Crowe and Pacino. Definately beats American Beauty in every category. Aside from the fact Russell gained 40 pounds for this movie, he even perfected the few lines he says in Japanese. Russell definately protrays the smoldering rage and indignation his character feels over what has happened and continues to happen to him. Particulary of interest is the wide range of emotions and expressions Russell protrays. This was deinfately the movie that made me a Russell Crowe fan (even with 40 extra pounds!). The inside look at the politics behind CBS's decisions is informative, and frustrating. Highly recommended for viewers who appreciate plot and excellent acting. It's long length doesn't make it a good choice for those who want quick, fun, visual entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: A great Michael Mann film
Review: Thief,Manhunter,Last of The Mohicans,Heat and The Insider. Perfect 5 movies from the director. Heat's Al Pacino is with 60 minutes. Based on a true story of a man played greatly by Academy Award nominee Russell Crowe. A pre Gladiator perfromance. About the tobacco industry. Directed by Michael Mann.
Rating:
Summary: Exploring The Reality Of Truth
Review: Many times, the resolution to a problematic situation is seemingly as easy as simply knowing right from wrong, and acting upon it. The sub-text of the problem, however, is often more complex; especially when the onerous decision of personal sacrifice is involved. Such is the situation explored in "The Insider," a powerful drama directed by Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. Based on the true story of Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe), a former Corporate Vice President of one of the major tobacco companies, it examines his struggle to act in accordance with his own conscience after circumstances put him together with Lowell Bergman (Pacino), a producer for Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer) and the highly respected television news program, "60 Minutes." On the surface, Wigand's conundrum seems easily dispelled; as a research scientist involved with matters of health, he has vital information concerning the addictive nature of nicotine and, moreover, the attempt by the company for which he worked to enhance the consumers propensity for it by manipulating the ingredients of their product. Under oath (and televised on C-SPAN), the CEO's of the seven major tobacco corporations testified, to a man, that to their knowledge nicotine was not addictive; but Wigand knows otherwise. And by claiming ignorance of the properties of nicotine, they subverted the truth even more by refuting what Wigand knew to be what they considered their real business: The delivery of nicotine to the consumer. You put a cigarette in your mouth, you light it up, you get your fix. Bottom line, not only do they know exactly what they're doing, they perjured themselves on national television when questioned about it. Wigand's problem, however, is the confidentiality agreement he signed upon termination of his employment; if he talks, he loses the lucrative severance package that includes health benefits for his family. And he has a young daughter with acute asthma. So from his perspective, in knowing the truth about "Big Tobacco," the question becomes one of morality: How much does he owe, and to whom, considering the personal sacrifices he will make if he does the right thing. Beginning with an intelligent and well developed screenplay (by Mann and Eric Roth, adapted from the magazine article "The Man Who Knew Too Much," by Marie Brenner), Mann meticulously presents this story of ordinary people under the stress of extraordinary circumstances in a manner that is creatively imaginative and totally engrossing; in short, a flawless delivery of a terrific script and story. The tension begins from the moment we are introduced to Wigand and continues to build throughout the film. There is inspired camera work (at times almost invasive, in a way that puts the viewer "in" the scene), impeccable transitions and pacing, and Mann exacts a number of brilliant performances from his actors, especially Crowe and Pacino. Crowe gives a detailed, Oscar worthy performance (he was nominated) as Wigand, deftly capturing the traits and attitude of this intelligent, complex individual; his volatile temperament and demanding attempt at self restraint, his forthright manner and love for his family, and the toll that coping with the demons that plague his conscience takes upon him. Crowe has a compelling screen presence that commands the viewers attention; his expressive reactions alone convey intelligence, a sense that the "wheels are always turning," that demands regard. It is quite simply a remarkable character study delivered by an amazingly gifted actor whose approach to characterization is, in many ways, reminiscent of the style of Alec Guinness. Pacino gives a commanding performance as well; the kind of work we've come to expect from one of our greatest actors, who time and again never ceases to amaze with what he can do. As with Crowe, his turn here is firmly planted in reality, and it's that ability to make it so real that gives such emotional impact to the drama. And it should have garnered him a Best Actor nod as well. Other notable performances include Christopher Plummer, who absolutely "becomes" Mike Wallace, affecting a manner of speech and physical traits that are entirely convincing, and Diane Venora, as Wigand's wife, Liane. Also, in smaller-- but highly effective-- roles, are Michael Gambon (Thomas Sandefur) and especially Bruce McGill (Ron Motley), whose work here should have brought him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. In the final analysis, "The Insider" is a film that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end; one that rings of truth beyond reproach and which aptly demonstrates how important it is to have men of principle and integrity among us. This film is an example of cinema at it's best, and one that demands viewing by one and all.
Rating: 
Summary: NOTHING SPECIAL !
Review: DON'T BUY THIS MOVIE IT'S NOT WORTH IT.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Picture of 1999
Review: "The Insider" is smart, arresting film-making. The performances are just about perfect. Dante Spanotti's cinematography has a documentary feel to it. When I saw this movie, I didn't recognize Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffery Wigand. His character was a 53-year-old tabbaco whistle-blower, with gray hair and glasses, and Crowe played him convincingly. The script is probably the high point of this movie. It knows a lot about tabbaco, TV media journalism, family, and other everyday-life things. There's real tension, dread, and accuracy in this movie. Al Pacino has done probably his best work in quite some time. As Lowell Bergman, former "60 Minutes" executive-producer, Al gives all the information we know or want to know about tabbaco. I saw this movie in theaters two times and watched it in widescreen on video. It looks better in widescreen because the camera is hand-held and gives the movie a documentary feel. For those who missed it in theaters, I have one piece of advice: rent it, then buy it. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A superb film, but not one designed for non-US audiences
Review: A review of THE INSIDER by one of my Favorite People living in one of the Baltic states has recently appeared, and which gave the film only 2 stars - a significant shortfall from what I believe the picture was worth, i.e. 5 stars. Granted, the film didn't win Best Picture at the Oscars. But, there can only be one Best Picture winner, and that petty detail in the rules shouldn't detract from the excellence of the runner-ups in any particular year. I do believe, however, that THE INSIDER is not likely to engage non-US audiences for two reasons. First of all, "60 Minutes" is a revered American television icon, not British, Brazilian, Japanese, Egyptian, Indian, Latvian, or whatever. (It's one of the rare network programs worth watching anymore. The rest is just garbage.) The scandal that ensued (and which THE INSIDER portrays), when this much respected investigative news show caved to Big Tobacco and suppressed a story unfavorable to the latter, was chiefly an American reaction. Secondly, as near as I can discern, the disgust felt for the hypocrisy of Big Tobacco is, again, basically an American phenomenon. The majority of the rest of the world doesn't care, and continues to smoke like chimneys! The performances of both Al Pacino and Russell Crowe were both first class. That of the latter was the most pleasantly surprising since he's a relative newcomer to the silver screen. And what can one say about Pacino? He gets better with age, much like Sean Connery, Bruce Willis, Michael Douglas, and Harrison Ford. And what's wrong with that?! They all demonstrate that quality known in life as "maturity". The thought of a Ben Affleck, Matt Damon or Brad Pitt playing Pacino's role, as good as these rising young stars are, is positively ludicrous. More to the cinematic point in closing, how many lesser films regarded as absolute swill by US audiences have scored big at the overseas box offices? Hmmm? There's no accounting for taste.
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