Product: The Insider [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
Better than gladiator
This is how interesting and attention grabbing The Insider is. I saw the microphone on its boom bob into the top of frame in three seperate scenes. Once it popped in twice in one scene. At the cinema, the woman in the seat three to my left practically lept up and yelled "look theres the microphone". As it was I was distracted by her pointing each time. It didn't matter, the movie was great anyway. I said to myself it gives it that documentary feel a true story has. As it turns out not everything in the film is true and Mr. Wigand's ex-wife has made public her disagreement with the way events surrounding the break up of their relationship as depicted in the movie. Plus there were no death threats. That as it maybe, the sense of being on edge is terrifically conveyed by Russell Crowes performance. The issues are somewhat technical but the crux is that Crowe's character could have done jail time for breaking a contract. Though I think lawyers would be glad to stop him in any way they could. There were attempts at a smear campaign and theres a crucial scene at the deposition of Crowe's character when the lawyers start shouting. Not the best formula for justice. If legal matters, politics or watching current affairs excite you and you'd like to see more then this is a film for you. If you've broken a contract and are awaiting a decision which will affect your fate then take heart from this but be warned.Michael Mann is a winner. He can make drama and then some, I was really hooked by this movie. Al Pacino gets a home run also and Christopher Plummer delivers convincingly. Full marks to all involved except the sound boom operator but this movie is so good I can forgive that.