Pacino's character

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2006)

Well, I thought Al Pacino did some of his best work here. Noting that Russell Crowe got a nomination (Oscar), I felt that even stronger was the role played by Al. Russell did his best work here and later they thinly veiled an Oscar as a, so to speak, "make up call"...I mean come on! Oscar for gladiator and not Insider! Reminds me of Rod Steiger missing Oscar for the Pawnbroker (Lee Marvin's Cat Ballou")and getting the make up for "In the Heat of the Night". The comment concerning Al's control within the character is so accurate...noting that he contained his energy until it was important. When he gets the Hotel employee to knock on Crowe's door and tell him to pick up his phone and then Al says to tell him to "just pick up the f...king phone", Russell crosses the room and picks up the phone and the two have at it....so visceral! Oscars for the two...and outstanding roles for everybody else from the Wallace character to the plaintiff attorney in the courtroom in Miss. One of my all time ten best!!! Jim G