I was surprised - this is a really good movie

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2000)

Frankly, I would have never seen this movie if not for it receiving a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Generally, I hate "issue" movies, even when I agree with the issue being presented; usually, such movies allow character motivation to take a back seat to social commentary and end up preaching at viewers. Not true with The Insider. Whereas screenwriters Eric Roth and Michael Mann could have spent all kinds of time complaining about the evils of Big Tobacco, they're much more interested in telling the stories of Lowell Bergman and Jeffrey Wigand.
Well written, well directed, and well acted, The Insider has quality leads in Pacino and Crowe. Also, as a person living in the South, I admire the film for not portraying Southerners as idiots, as many Hollywood films do. And I loved the unconventional soundtrack.
If I had to find something to complain about in this film, it would be that I think Jeffrey Wigand fades a little too much into the background towards the end of the film; his reactions to events could have been detailed a little further. And I don't think Mike Wallace would realistically be dumb enough to yell at one of Shiekh Fadlallah's bodyguards. Still, The Insider is quality entertainment and worthy of its Academy Award nominations. 9/10