Tense from Beginning to End!

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2010)

I am often suspicious of docudramas because sometimes they take so many liberties with facts or revamp and combine events for their own purposes. Oliver Stone is frequently guilty of this. This film portrays an event that I remember like it was yesterday. The subtle portrayal of a man who must face the horrors of our modern age, disgrace, divorce, dishonor, and lack of health insurance, is right on and Russell Crowe and Al Pacino are incredible in their roles. It becomes a battle between the integrity of modern journalism, the entrenched tobacco industry, and whether one man can change anything. It is believable because this is the way it happened. There are even disclaimers at the end dealing with a couple of shady issues. I was also incredibly impressed by Christopher Plummer's portrayal of Mike Wallace. Except for the voice, I almost felt he was there. I didn't even remember this film existed until I saw it recommended in a "best of" list. I'm so happy I got to see something that really is for an adult viewer, not unlike "Good Night, and Good Luck." Keep these kinds of things coming.