Product: The Insider [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
The Ugly American
Before the Academy Awards a couple of years ago, I had only seen one of the several movies nominated for best picture of the year award: the movie "American Beauty". I vowed after the awards to see some of the other movies included in various categories.The first movie I picked up for my new DVD player was the film, "The Insider". Russell Crowe, with whom I first became acquainted in "L.A. Confidential", is positively Deniro like in his depiction of the major protagonist. Crowe's performance was much meatier than the Best actor performance of Kevin Spacey in American Beauty. The film itself was also far superior to "American Beauty". Michael Mann delivers here as he did in the movie "Manhunter" where we first meet the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lector. Why this crew didn't receive its "props" from the established motion picture industry I'll never understand (tongue in cheek). Of course we know that the answer really is that "Hollywood" like the tabacco industry is quite happy to avoid controversy when it serves big business'interests."The Insider" is a great motion picture with riveting performances by all of the actors. This movie is a must for your permanent collection.