Product: The Insider [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 3.0
Russell Crowe in his first Academy nominated performance.
Based on a true story that unfolded behind-the-scenes on the CBS tv series "60 Minutes", Russell Crowe (L.A. Confidential) plays a scientist, Dr. Wigand, now a teacher, who use to work for a tobacco company. The producer, Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) wants him to do an interview for 60 Minutes, however Dr. Wigand life ends up in danger. Someone is stalking him around the new house and sends a threat to kill by email. Christopher Plummer plays "Mike Wallace". Lindsay Crouse (All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)[1976],Places in the Heart[1984]) also has a role. Russell Crowe gained 40 pounds for the role and was nominated for an Academy Award. Christopher Plummer was also nominated. The next year Crowe lost 40 pounds and got back in perfect shape for the filmGladiator (Widescreen Edition)(2000) and won the Academy Award for Best performance by An Actor. Then the next year, he was nominated again for an Academy award forA Beautiful Mind(2001). Many people thought he should have won for outstanding performance by an actor for A Beautiful Mind. I'm sure Russell Crowe will be nominated again for an Academy Award in the future, perhaps sooner. He is considered the most modern, versitile and talented actor of our time. DVD includes a seven-minute production featurette, go inside a scene, read notes to actors, read the script, view the scene, and rated "R" theatrical trailer. Thanks for filming in Louisville, Kentucky and the Seelbach Hotel.