Good subject, poor telling

Rating: 6/10 (18 November 2000)

The Insider has an excellent subject to work with, but somehow it all gets a bit lost as Michael Mann tries to impress with his command of the camera. Al Pacino's histrionics in certain scenes are just so, well, 'Al Pacino' that the character he is supposed to be playing gets submersed. The film feels flabby and would have benefited by losing at least half an hour. Russell Crowe however is outstanding as Dr. Wigand. Although playing a man about 20 years older than his real age you would never guess from his performance. Despite my disappointment with the film as a whole I would still advocate at least one viewing, if simply to be reminded of the lengths corporate business will go in the name of profit.