Review of Insider, The

Introduction

‘The Insider’ stars Al Pacino as Lowell Bergman, a veteran producer for TV’s ’60 Minutes’ show, and Russell Crowe, playing former tobacco executive Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, in a fast paced thriller/drama that is based on a true story and real characters.

Written and directed by Michael Mann, the film tells the story of Dr. Jeffrey Wigand who having worked for Brown & Williamson Tobacco, one of the biggest tobacco companies in the USA, is fired from his senior position in the research department. He has been party to the numerous unethical practices that went on in the tobacco industry, and then becomes the ultimate ‘insider’ to later work with Bergman, who is set on exposing the tobacco companies’ unethical procedures to the public.

Of course these powerful bastions of USA industry play dirty when they hear of Wigand and Bergman’s partnership, and the chase is on to ensure the truth about nicotine addiction and the practices they use to keep the public hooked on their product, never breaks into the public domain. The pair get involved in a lengthy battle with the large corporations intent on destroying their reputations and generally discrediting them, in a bid to cover up the truth.

The billion dollar a year habit is a strong motivational force, and the tobacco companies will not allow anything to upset the balance that they currently enjoy. Seven of the top chief executives from the big companies knowingly commit perjury by stating on the public record that they do not believe nicotine to be addictive, when Dr Wigand’s work has proved that it certainly is.

Many more obstacles are placed in their path and problems arise at every stage of the hunt to avoid a cover up.

This is a fast paced action thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder every time you hear footsteps behind you! Pacino and Crowe are a successful partnership in this movie, with vulnerable Dr. Wigand gaining confidence in Bergman, and his growing belief that this malpractice must be stopped.

Video

No problems here!

As soon as the movie had started I was instantly thinking “this is one of the best pictures my projector has ever produced”. Admittedly a projector is not the best way to compare video quality, but subsequent tests on an RGB connected Trinitron TV and a home theatre PC confirmed it. The DVD is stunning in this regard, and the 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer is totally blemish free.

Never do you experience noticeable grain, or an excessively dark picture, which could have been a major issue due to the high number of inside scenes. No compression problems were noted.

Audio

Again, this DVD excels itself.

As you would expect, a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is provided, but you could be forgiven for thinking that this is not so important with a film whose main appeal is a great story, rather than loud special effects. However this is just as important.

The defined channels of sound recreate the atmospheric ambience of each scene beautifully. Much of the film is dialogue based, and you need to stay alert to hear all the intricacies of the plot. However the dialogue is perfectly balanced and rear channels and sub, although not overly used, are active just enough to add their presence to an excellent soundtrack.

Features

This DVD is not without extras either.

Firstly, you get a Featurette with interviews with the Director Michael Mann, and Pacino and Crowe on their roles in the film. Also, there are interviews with the real Wigand and Bergman, as well as with attorney Dick Scruggs and Mississippi Attorney General Michael Moore.

Also there is ‘Inside a Scene’ which is text based information which includes the Directors notes that were given to the leading actors on a certain scene, the actual script of that scene, and then you can view the scene itself from the movie. I have not seen this done on any other DVD I have reviewed, and it is nice to see a little originality.

Finally you get the original trailer.

This film really is crying out for a full length commentary, ideally with Michael Mann, Pacino and Crowe and the real Bergman and Wigand (a la Apollo 13). That really would have been something special! Oh well – maybe on some future ‘special edition’ version!

Conclusion

This really is an entertaining film. Although over two and a half hours in length, you never find yourself glancing at the ‘title remain time’ function on your DVD player, as the plot never drags. Being based on a true story has resulted in a screenplay that is both believable and factual, and the character development has obviously benefited from the actual Dr Jeffrey Wigand and Lowell Bergman’s input.

Pacino and Crowe bounce off each other throughout the film, and you really end up feeling desperately sorry for Dr Wigand’s plight. Crowe plays the part with so much emotion, that he often appears like he is about to burst into tears on screen. His voice is very soft and gentle, and the turmoil he is going through is brought to life. Pacino is his usual self, relentless and determined, and provides Crowe’s character with the strength he needs to take this scandal forward to its conclusion.

The DVD is superb quality, with exceptionally good audio and video. It is so refreshing to find a disc with this coupled with such a good film, and one that will be viewed many times over. The extras are interesting, and full marks for the originality of the ‘Inside a Scene’ feature, but the icing on the cake would have been that commentary – still you can’t have everything I suppose!