Pacino and Crowe shine

Rating: 8/10 (23 February 2001)

I find it amazing that such a good film as this did not get a larger billing, or a longer release window, certainly in the UK anyway. To have had to catch it on video as I couldn't get to the cinema at the time is insane.
Al Pacino is the 60 minutes producer battling with the story that he can't put on air, due to legal machinations and pressure from a tobacco company, after getting the story from insider [hence the name of the film] and whistleblower Russell Crowe, who is again showing that he is an all round actor of some repute - not in the same league as Pacino obviously, but impressing more from film to film.
Pacino is wonderful, as he seemingly always is, and is incredibly convincing as the TV producer who'll fight as much as it takes to get his story across.
A top cast, a well scripted and directed film, and an amazingly candid tale given the subject matter; and that it's based on a true story.
I'm sure that the soundtrack had some classical music tunes that also appeared in Gladiator, perhaps Russell gets a bulk film discount from the record company!