Powerful

Rating: Null/10 (28 October 2000)

We all know the tobacco companies are made up of a bunch of scumbags who care about nothing but money, but this movie just blows your mind. Crowe is a former scientist, Jeffrey Wigand, who worked with a top tobacco company to increase the potency of nicotine in cigarettes. He quit the job, feeling somewhat guilty for his work, and this sets off a chain of events. He goes semi- public with his story to CBS News' 60 Minutes. Al Pacino plays a hard edged producer who does all he can to get the story aired...but due to fear of a lawsuit CBS cuts the story. This is a fabulous story about the corruption and evil of corporate America, and the triumph of good over evil. Pacino is brilliant as usual, and Crowe is great too. The look of the film sets the mood for the film perfectly. Music and periods of silent add to the drama that the story itself brings to the film. It's a great film with some great characters, and some even greater acting. Tho the story is true, it clearly says in the credits that some parts were fictionalized to add dramatic effect...and drama there is. It's brilliantly shot and put together, and I'd definitely give it a 10 out of 10.