One of the best movies on corporate corruption('s) I've seen.

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2005)

Yes, the message is very clear. Nicotine IS addicting. But it is the way that the tobacco corporation handles such issues that I also take note of. Russell Crowe was excellent, even in his mannerism's of acting like the Sr. Corp. VP, a powerful position. Al Pacino was excellent as the guiding force behind trying to help Jeffry Wygand get his message to the masses. Even the wife's character was played to a tee. I took it as "They used to love each other, in some other life", but the prestige and power involved corrupted them both to a point where they grew apart. The father truly loved his little girls, the mother was more worried about "what the neighbors will think" of their sudden misfortune of losing a job, and having to move to a lesser neighborhood. (family values? What family values! It's about how we look, not the love). hehe. Anyway, I really enjoyed the movie. As a compliment to this one ... the BOOK "Runaway Jury" would be an excellent look into Big Tobacco's theme. And way of doing business.
Michael Mann is a genius. This movie has a way of drawing the viewer right into the minds of each and every main character. In particular, the scene of Jeff in the hotel room, and it panning off to the walls giving way to the picture of his 2 daughters playing, looking at him from a great distance. Despair. Anguish. Anger. And even Defeat. Coupled with the music Michael Mann used, ... I was on the edge of my seat. I was right there, feeling the exact same emotions as Jeff W. was. WOW! Excellent directing, producing. Nothing short of a Michael Mann movie.