The Insider Movie Review 1999

Riveting and controversial film that caused a real-life snit at "60 Minutes" over the facts and portrayals in the story. After Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe) is fired from his top-level tobacco company job, he turns whistleblower, claiming his former employers lied about the dangers of cigarettes. Veteran "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman (Pacino) and newsman Mike Wallace (Plummer) pursue the story--only to be shot down by their own network. The fallout causes ethical consequences for all involved. Performances are outstanding--from the chameleon Crowe to the relatively subdued Pacino and the slyly pompous Plummer. Based on a "Vanity Fair" magazine article.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 157 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

True Stories, News at 11, Corporate Shenanigans, Front Page, Adapted from an Article

Screenplay

Michael Mann, Eric Roth

Cast

Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Gina Gershon, Philip Baker Hall, Diane Venora, Lindsay Crouse, Debi Mazar, Stephen Tobolowsky, Colm Feore, Bruce McGill, Michael Gambon, Rip Torn, Lynne Thigpen, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Michael Paul Chan, Wings Hauser, Pete Hamill, Nestor Serrano, Michael Moore

Cinematography

Dante Spinotti

Director

Michael Mann

Music

Graeme Revell

Producer

Pieter Jan Brugge, Forward Pass Productions, Touchstone Pictures

Awards

L.A. Film Critics 1999: Actor (Crowe), Cinematog., Film, Support. Actor (Plummer); Natl. Bd. of Review 1999: Actor (Crowe); Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1999: Actor (Crowe), Support. Actor (Plummer); Broadcast Film Critics 1999: Actor (Crowe).