Product: The Insider [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
Thinking Person's Modern Classic
This film is not perfect. My tolerance for overheated Al Pacino performances is eroding, and I just couldn't buy the premise that his character was THAT saintly. That said, this curmudgeon nonetheless gives "The Insider" five stars. Why?: * riveting (and I mean RIVETING) opening * Russell Crowe * the signature flawless visual style of Michael Mann and his lucky cinematographers * Russell Crowe * a true grabber of a story * Russell Crowe * "can't picture anyone else in the role!" secondary players -- another Mann speciality * Russell Crowe * Christopher Plummer capturing Mike Wallace in all his fatuous nobility * Russell Crowe * the stunning ability to create true suspense about a story whose ending is already known * Russell Crowe * a theme that forces the viewer to THINK ... and profit by the results * Russell Crowe 'Nuff said? Oh, and it was the best picture of the year (and I loved "American Beauty"). . . . did I mention Russell Crowe?