The Insider





Bleh. I had a major headache while watching this film, so I might have to watch it another time.

But, it was still great, even with the headache. Slow, but riveting, with excellent performances from Crowe and Pacino.

B+

C+

I have always had a problem with this movie beause the cast is good and the movie is "technically" well made, but it is so throughout boring and uninspiring that I can't bring myself to enjoy it in any way. Definitely the worst Best Picture nominee in its year.

A

A towering achievement. The caliber of the performances by Russell Crowe and Christopher Plummer cannot be underestimated.

Cements Michael Mann's status as, the aberration of ALI aside, one of our greatest living filmmakers.

Arthur, I don't know what fucking movie you watched, but I assure you it was not THE INSIDER.

Agree with all this.

Agreed with your agreement.

Watched it for the first time a couple months ago, phenomenal film.

I'll rewatch it eventually.

I never said that there is techincally anything wrong with it. Performances are good, the production values are great...it just that I...didn't care?

I agree with all of it, but I loved Ali

I feel like I may have said this in another thread maybe, but...

One of the reasons I really liked this movie was its connection with 60 Minutes, a show that I was forced to watch growing up. Every single Sunday night. (And still do, even though I don't hate it now like I did when I was 9.)

So maybe foreigners might have a harder time with this one. I dunno. And maybe Americans who don't watch CBS.

The Bin Laden stuff was a bit ahead of it's time. Remember this was 1999.

And I agree with yours. This is a great film.

Michael Mann took a story that could have ended up very esoteric and turned it into a compelling and engaging film. Great performances all around (particularly Crowe). The Insider is that one mainstream movie that comes out every year or two that actaully has the balls to be about something.

The best word I can use to describe this movie is focused. It's as on the ball in terms of constant plot movement and developments stacking on each other as just about any movie I've seen, and it maintains the pace for over 2 and a half hours.

Riveting performances, great, intelligent screenplay. It's simply one of the most superb journalistic films ever.

5/5

One of the best films of the 90's and one of my all time favorites. This movie is such a well oiled engine in all aspects. Mann is in top form, the actors all give excellent performances and Crowe should've won the Oscar for this movie, not for Gladiator a year after. The tension is present throughout, especially when we see what conflics the possible airing of a TV interview causes, but it is Crowe's character, whom we see going through the motions

Ultimately a study about the legality of the legal system itself and the power structure of the American society. It's incedible how sufficient a statement coming from people with clear interests can seem, and the way Mann captures the Seven Dwarves on Capitol Hill as contrasted by the levels of intimidation that Crowe and Pacino's character encounter in trying to put their story together and telling it to the world. And in the end it all comes down to a corporate decision. The Insider is an amazing look at both the media and the tobacco industries. Cinematography and editing are top quality, and the film is both epic and intimate at the same time.

I myself did not understand it entirely upon first viewing. I remember making it a point to go see it in theaters before it stopped playing and I went with my Mom the day before it stopped playing in theaters. Subsequent viewings of the film have made me fall in love with it and one of the best films I have ever seen. Boring is the last word I would use in describing The Insider. There is so much to it.

Compelling, hypnotic stuff. Mann can surely do no wrong (from what I've seen, at least).

It's both immaculately scripted and stunningly directed. So rarely do the form and content of a film not only correlate but complement each other; this is one of those times. The ferocity and energy of the storytelling are matched only by the effervescent camerawork, the breakneck editing, and the psychedelic music. The whole film feels so fucking alive, distancing it from other movies of its ilk. And as great as Crowe is here, Christopher Plummer is a beast.

How the hell did this not win any Oscars?

Basically what Trixster said, except Mann is the most inconsistent director I can think of. He's done great (this, Mohicans), good but flawed (Collateral, Heat), and boring (Ali, Miami Vice, Manhunter).

I need to rewatch this. I'm pretty sure I'll regret that post above.

Gotta side with the Doc on this one...

I dunno, I really like both Miami Vice and Manhunter. And Collateral and Heat are masterful.

I haven't seen Mohicans or Ali (or his early stuff) yet, though.

Yes, heh. One of the more riveting dramas of the 90s IMO. It's been a while since I saw it. I remember I had some problem with the message, but not sure what that was.

I loved Heat and Collateral, but Mohicans? I thought it wasn't quite that interesting. The score was good though.

Crowe's best performance of his career. Not sure if he will ever top it. Everyone knows that the win in Gladiator was a make up for this loss.

I thought he was great in Gladiator.

Still though, why would voters vote for a past film?