Wow! A great, thoughtful film, intense drama

Rating: Null/10 (22 May 2000)

This is a remarkably brave film considering the times we live in, where justice can be bought and companies put out of business just by filing law suits, and where concepts like morality and ethics are words which don't matter at all in the face of the almighty dollar.
This film is a gripping drama that has the added value of being true in its essential nature. Wigand's testimony was critical for the exposure of "Big Tobacco" as a set of companies that knowingly lied to the American public about the effects of their products on public health.
The characters are very well handled, everyone was convincing and did a terrific job of "being" these people. I thought Pacino was terrific and was surprised that he did not get a nomination for best actor.
For me the best scene was where Wigand is about to be deposed by the Attorney for the State of Louisiana (or was it Mississippi?). It made me cheer for the system of states that we have now, where corrupt judges from one state are not able to shut down justice in another state (i.e. just because big tobacco has several judges in Kentucky in their pocket, other states are able to carry out their own investigations, thanks to state's rights).
Bottom line: I would urge all citizens of the United States to see this film. It is an accurate depiction of the system we live in today. Its not a pretty picture, but it is riveting, and maybe, things can change.