Just Say No Smoking

Rating: 6/10 (12 September 2009)

This starts out like it's going to be a thriller about "Islamic Fundamentalists," with blindfolded journalists being brought to interview Arabic-speaking Sheiks in turbans But no... Michael Mann's long "The Insider" is really about tobacco company "whistle-blower" Russell Crowe (as Jeffery Wigand), who brings the real dirt about the drug-peddling tobacco industry to the attention of "60 Minutes" producer Al Pacino (as Lowell Bergman). Christopher Plummer is an entertaining Mike Wallace.
Looking older and fatter, Mr. Crowe has "great actor" written all over him. There is a marvelous scene with wicked cigarette C.E.O. Michael Gambon. Diane Venora does well in an underdeveloped role as Crowe's selfish wife. Interesting to see one of Crowe's daughters portrayed as asthmatic; it might have been more dramatic if, for contrast, Mr. Pacino's sons were seen buying a pack of cigarettes. The film is nicely produced, except for some unsteady camera-work during dramatic peaks.
****** The Insider (10/28/99) Michael Mann ~ Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Michael Gambon