One of the year's best.

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 1999)

The Insider is a terrific movie. The story is absolutely gripping and interesting. It runs a long 170 minutes, but stick through it and you'll be happy. It starts out slow and very vague, but it sets up for an explosive one hour climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.

The performances really were this movie's strong side. Al Pacino gives his best performance since Glengarry Glen Ross. And Russell Crowe plays his part very well, giving a powerful performance, his character develops and unfolds very slowly in the story and he couldn't have done a better job on it.
The first hour or so would give you the impression of a story with a simple, easy plot. But as you think the plot is about to take a rest and the movie will simmer down, it explodes in your face, you will be surprised at the way it turns into a movie more about the corruption of our justice system and the major flaw impossible to break. Rather than JUST a conspiracy on the verge of being exposed. Al Pacino's character changes dramatically as does Russell Crowe's. And both actors do an excellent job.

Although it is loosely based on the truth, it runs unlike other true stories. Some movies try to grab the audience and to become surprised that this could actually be true, and only that. The Insider does that, as well as producing a fine piece of dramatic cinema. Go see it while you can, you won't be disappointed.