Thoroughly engrossing account that works on all levels

Rating: Null/10 (14 July 2001)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
A searing insight into the corruption that festers throughout the whole of the tobacco industry,The Insider should prove riveting even to those put off by lengthy films.For this is told with such invigorating style and uncontendable compassion the running time of 151 minutes will pass like nothing.It's filmed in a completely different fashion to any other film before it as well,with almost non-stop camera angle close ups on the characters and soft lensing on the dramatic scenes.
Michael Mann's style of direction works far better here than it did in his previous feature Heat,and he manages to make Al Pacino's lead performance far more involving too.Pacino is portraying,in what is alledgedly a true story,a complex man,with varying degrees to his character and personality,torn between his job at the TV station and his concern for Russell Crowe's character,who also turns in a quiet,genuine performance as the beleaguered former chemical researcher.Michael Gambon is convincing as the American head of the firm,putting on a first rate accent too which gels with his voice magically.The frustrating,not to mention bewildering,thing for viewers in the UK is that for some reason,the film is only availible in widescreen.It is worth looking past this descrepancy to enjoy what is easily one of the finest films of the year.*****