Well, I'm hoping to get a screening of this film before going on Ebert's show, so I can review it there with him as being a fan of the journalistic ethics film genre, I'm dying to see this film. (Yes, there are enough films to consider it it's own mini-genre). Also being the Michael Mann nutcase that I am... well I've been stalking this film for quite some time now. But... as usual, Aguire Jr is first...
Harry,
You must be thinking that I like every movie I see (or will be after this review), but Harry, I must tell you that I am on some kind of streak. This month in movies has been great so far. First, Snow Falling on Cedars, then American Beauty, then Fight Club, and finally the movie I saw tonight, "The Insider" starring Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Plummer. Its directed by Michael Mann too, who is cool as hell as we all know.
For those who dont know anything about the movie, its sort of like the "All the President's Men" of the '90s, except we get to know Deep Throat well, and the hero is not the reporter, its the producer. But, the movie first deals with the issue of telling the truth no matter what the consequences are, but then moves to worrying about law suits that become bigger if the guy is telling the truth (lies are less damaging). Pacino is the 60 minutes reporter named Lowell, Crowe is the whistle blower, and Mike Wallce is played by Christopher Plummer.
The story is based on the real life 90s 60 Minutres fiasco when they refused to air a whistle blower's interview against Phillip Morris because of a potential law suit that could have damaged a sale. Because of that, there really cant be any spoilers but no need to bore anybody with more of the plot.
Acting: Al pacino great as usual, moving slowly but surely back towards his much more subtle style of the '70s. He is the driving force behind the picture, and is very good. Its just that his role does not demand a southern accent nor does it allow him to mock a celebrity (like the other roles do), so it may go unnoticed by some people. He gives some great speeches and is very energetic, and as usual, a lot of fun to watch. Russell Crowe really pulls his performance close to the vest, as he uses small gestures like mouth movement to show the idiocincricies of his character. He is the heart of the movie, you really feel for him. He can't be cool as hell like he was in LA Confidential here, so he really shows off his great acting talent. The best performance is by Plummer, he is hysterical as Wallace. Its almost a parody of the real life anchor, but he shows the truth as well. Great complexity to the performance, very worth of the oscar buzz he is getting, but it will be for supporting actor, not best lead actor. Also, Colm Feor (spellin is wrong, but its the doctor in Face Off and a lawyer in Night Falls on Manahattan) is great as a laywer in the movie. Overall: A, great job overall by an A-list cast, casting looks to be perfect as well.
Directing: Those who thought Michael Mann was more style over substance, and couldnt do anything but action (albeit deep and great action) are proven wrong here. His story telling is very confident, the pacing is great as well. The movie is almost 3 hours, but I never looked at my watch once, which is incredible. One scene really stands out for me too, and that is when Crowe is a hotel room and all of a sudden the wall changes in his mind to show his two kids playing). Its a cool way to show his pain and loneliness and looks great on screen. He uses the musical score and camera well to create a real tension and see why Crowe's decision was so hard in the movie, and even when the story turns over to pacino's character for the last 40 minutes or so, we dont get bored and are very entertained while Mann makes his point about journalistic ethics. Overall: A, probably Mann's best job, and thats saying a lot from the guy who made Heat and Last of the Mohicans.
Script: Very taut, especially for such a long movie. No scene is wasted and the characters are all well drawn, and there are some great ironic jokes thrown in. Tells a rich story while commenting on real issues worth discussing. not overbearing at all. Overall: A.
So, we have straight As here, does this make this the best movie of the year? I dunno. Fight Club is more memorable, but that is more because of the style that the movie is told in and the sheer rush you get watching it. American Beauty probably has the best performance of the year with Spacey and the movie is great, and the movie really is darkly funny. But, this is the best purely serious drama Ive seen in a while. There are no car chases, and the movie relies on its story, acting and directing and it pays off well. I hope people see this movie, because it is an important story to tell and its great too. It could have been really boring and just repeated past arguments (like Mad City). Its as good as the buzz thats for sure, peace out harry.
Aguire Jr.
