The Insider

The film is precise in its form and content. That could be said about all of Michael Mann's works. That The Insider is no exception is probably no surprise to anyone. Michael Mann, with all his minimalism and almost theatrical atmosphere, unfolds a banal story about the anti-smoking battle between individuals and organized societies into a thematically grand and boundary-pushing drama. It’s an intense drama about people who are willing to sacrifice even fundamental values, such as family, for ideals they may not fully comprehend, but are upheld by society. In the cast, Mann once again demonstrated his penchant for transforming actors' images and breaking away from established stereotypes. This time, Russell Crowe became the "victim," and although his gray-dyed head doesn't impress as much, he captivates with his fantastic and convincing "tired" performance. Even the exceptional acting standard of Al Pacino isn't enough. Those who took away from the film only the fact that smoking is bad for your health should watch the film again because every pack of cigarettes will tell you the same thing. This film is much deeper (but not philosophical) and more valuable than its two-and-a-half hours might lead some to believe. Plus, it goes by as fast as a lit cigarette burning down to the filter. (06/10/2005)

This picture doesn’t focus so much on the issue of smoking cigarettes, but more on the strange power of the tobacco corporations. Money can buy almost everything. Trust. Silence. Faith. But can it buy opinions? Honor? Can the price of a person’s lifestyle be quantified? In this brilliant thriller we hear lots of fascinating facts and details that really happened and that deserve some contemplation. Mann’s directing means that everything is realistic and the acting performances of Al Pacino and Russell Crowe are more than convincing. Both the camerawork and the music are simply captivating. The Insider is one of those “one in a hundred" movies. (08/23/2006)

Now this is the Michael Mann I know and love. Watching The Insider completely erased any disappointment I had from Public Enemies. Al Pacino and Russell Crowe are phenomenal, as always, and Lisa Gerrard’s score is flawless. The story, which brings to mind Nothing But the Truth, is a meticulously crafted drama that raises a lot of important, real-life questions. 95%. (10/16/2009)

Brilliantly staged, acted and scored, as is customary with the visionary Mann, with a strong underlying theme that wants to speak to the audience globally through the fateful story of an individual. But despite this, this is Mann's most American film, interspersed with clichés and subplots to such an extent that the two-hour intimate narrative becomes, somewhat unnecessarily, a 150-minute Hollywood spectacle for an unintentionally narrowed target audience. If you fully appreciate technical mastery and the chosen thematic context, you’ll be able to watch Insider in one go without much difficulty... But not everyone will manage. 80% (06/25/2013)

Michael Mann is known for tackling big stories, though his films can be hit or miss for me. The Insider definitely has an intriguing premise, but it’s weighed down by a slow pace and some overly long explanations. At times, it felt unnecessarily drawn out, and I found myself getting pretty bored in parts. (03/18/2012)