A Very Good Ensemble Of Pacino And Crow

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2007)

The Insider is a very serious film; it has none of typical Hollywood sweet sentiments. Instead, it offers us a very deep insight into the modern-day problem  a struggle between an individual and a multi-national tobacco corporation. All the means is good here  bribery, libel, lies and blackmail. But the main hero, here played by Russell Crow, is undaunted, and despite the threats and loss of a family, he goes on. Another main character, here performed by always impeccable Al Pacino, is a hot-tempered CBS journalist, who is not afraid either of some mighty Lebanese Mullah or not less mighty tobacco moguls. He also goes on and he wins. The happy end here is not a false, sugary sweet melodrama type of end. Nay, since the whole plot is based on a real story, the director Mike Mann made it as it was. Yes, the happy ending, but after so much sufferings and losses. What is good, the movie does not thrive on blood or violence. What is a bit rude and even shocking, all the heroes use too much of the F-word. The cameo appearances of Gina Gershon and Stephen Tobolowsky are also a nice surprise and they add some certain spice to the plot. In general, if you like deep, mature, serious dramas about every day life and such like, watch that! Mind some foul language, though.