Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Russell Crowe, Al Pacino and Christopher Plummer
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood which achieved fame years ago are as iconic as Russell Crowe. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Crowe has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s brave Roman gladiators, detectives solving murders or police-officers, Crowe has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Crowe’s best strength as an actor has always been a strong presence. He is one of those actors that has a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles through his powerful presence. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a film, Crowe has often left a lasting impression. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Crowe has been an icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Crowe has established a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Crowe has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Crowe and adore all movies that he has made in his career. However, “The Insider” is definitely my favourite. Released in 1999, Michael Mann’s movie honoured the true story of a whistleblower in history. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest films ever made about whistleblowers. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Russell Crowe, embodies a brave research chemist in history. Ultimately, what makes “The Insider” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most films about whistleblowers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about importance of the truth which everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about the tobacco industry, there are several strong reasons why “The Insider” is a film that is worth watching.
Based on true events, “The Insider” tells a true story of a whistleblower that exposed tobacco industry causing disaster. Russell Crowe plays Jeffrey Wigand, a renowned research chemist with desire to tell the truth. Wigand has always been dedicated to expose a truth about illegal practices in the tobacco industry. However, his life dramatically changes when Wigand makes the drastic decision to expose practices of the tobacco industry that causes disaster. As he is interviewed by the reporter Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), Wigand soon discovers eye-opening secrets about tobacco. Faced with a dilemma, Wigand questions whether it’s truly possible to find truth in a profession which causes trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Wigand wonders whether it’s possible for him to be a successful insider.
Michael Mann is a newcomer to the stories of whistleblowers. Before he had directed “The Insider”, Mann had never made a film about political activists before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture whistleblowers that disclosed secrets about the tobacco industry, but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Mann captures a courageous whistleblower embarking on a journey to find truths about the tobacco industry. Emulating Oliver Stone’s “JFK”, Mann effectively employs archival footage to capture the true story of a whistleblower in history. For instance, archival footage enhances the interview scene. During this unforgettable scene, Wigand has his first ever interview about the tobacco industry with adversity. Using archival forage, Mann creates a portrait of whistleblowers that’s compelling. Archival footage is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster” did suggest clearly, archival footage enhances crime movies about gangsters. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through captivating visuals, Mann captures hardships that commemorated whistleblowers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Insider” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Mann effectively uses production design to capture the lives of whistleblowers which exposed shocking secrets enduring a decline. Throughout the film, Wigand’s strong costumes showcase his transformation into a bold whistleblower. For instance, the costumes enhance the business meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Wigand has a business meeting with Bergman uncovering secrets on the tobacco industry. Using strong costumes, Mann crafts a portrait of the tobacco industry that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Lisa Gerrard’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden that whistleblowers bear. Through bold production, Mann honoured a commemorated whistleblower that changed the nation.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “The Insider” is a movie about whistleblowers that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of research chemists that are hugely affected by violence. Mann effectively employs silence to capture the lives of whistleblowers which face emotional disturbance. For instance, silence enhances the expose aftermath scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Wigand grows quiet contemplating the severe consequence of his decision to expose the tobacco industry. Using silence, Mann crafts whistleblowers audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in film. As Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” suggested, silence enhances biopics capturing the lives of famous mathematicians. However, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Mann captures whistleblowers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Russell Crowe delivers one of his best career performances as Wigand. Crowe first earned appreciation for portraying L.A. police officers facing tension. With “The Insider”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a real-life research chemist in history, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional role. Crowe has often excelled at playing strong heroes that endure pressure, and “The Insider” showcased his best strength as an actor. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest movie-shags working today.
While the movie a bold showcase for Russell Crowe, the supporting role is also superb and worthy of appreciation. Al Pacino is amazing, capturing the sorrow of a journalist seeking to uncover truths about tobacco. Christopher Plummer is captivating, capturing tensions of a political leader seeking to overcome disaster. Lastly, Philip Baker Hall merits appreciation. As a TV shot host, he brings heartfelt emotion to the film.
Finally, “the Insider” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing whistleblowers that face disaster. Unlike most movies about lives of political leaders, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with history of the tobacco industry to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about truth that resonates with everyone. Therefore, “The Insider” is one of those rare films about whistleblowers which everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Russell Crowe will definitely appreciate “The Insider” and so would movie-goers which seek meaningful entertainment. A mesmerizing biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a renowned whistleblower that became an insider exposing secrets that changed the tobacco industry forever, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated Australian actor that has built a lasting legacy through his charismatic nature in unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 