Excellent

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 1999)

In a year that has boasted great commercial success but little artistic achievement, Michael Mann has directed a solid, well-crafted gem. A wonderful cast, that includes Al Pacino in a more subtle character than his recent movies, Russel Crowe delivering big-time in a complex character, and Christopher Plummer who is nearly flawless as Mike Wallace, is what drives this movie. Unfortunately Mann's direction is a tad too stylized. Mann favors the "behind the ear" camera angle too much, and the overuse of jump-cuts becomes tiresome toward the middle of the movie. Toward the end of the movie, Mann relaxes his narcissistic techniques that supposedly "define a director" and simply tells the story, thus redeeming his past mistakes. The story is well worth telling. Lost in the wake of the OJ Simpson verdict, this true and riveting tale of morals, big business, red-tape, and perseverance is now being told with incredible dramatic force by this talented crew of artists to those that will listen. The script, the movie, Plummer, the cinematography, and perhaps Mann will be nominated for an academy award. In a weak year such as this, both Pacino and Crowe could receive nominations for Best Actor though the bronze statuette is sole possession of Kevin Spacey for American Beauty. This is an excellent movie, it may end up being one of the top 5 of the year, but only Plummer might end up taking home an Oscar. Definitely worth the cost of admission, but be prepared, it's reeeeeeeally long.