1999 / 158 Minutes / R
Reviewed by Dale Nauertz

The one thing about this movie that really impressed me is something which Jones hasn’t even touched upon: the cinematography. The way this film is shot is absolutely gorgeous. Every shot is simply a wonder to behold: the sight of the ocean in the background as Wigand (Russell Crowe) fights with his conscience is perhaps the most perfect visual statement: here is this lone man standing before an ocean of dishonesty, corruption and greed. That moment was one of my favorites.

I don’t know which I liked better, this film or “Heat”. Both are excellent entertainments (the word “entertainment” does not quite seem enough to describe either movie). They are long movies, and you can tell that you have been sitting for three hours, but there is not a moment you would want back. Think of it this way: you could watch “The Insider” or two David Spade movies. You make the call. Yes, “The Insider” is long, but there is not a moment that is less than captivating.

I won’t bother recalling the plot for you. Likely, you have already read two reviews that describe that part in ample detail. But I must comment upon the performances of the two leads. Russell Crowe, like Robert DeNiro and Robert Duvall, is one of those great actors that just sink into the skins of the characters they portray and inhabit them as if they WERE those people. Pacino is fine in a restrained performance here. He is more disciplined here than he has been in years, and the tightness of his performance demands to be commended. He is a live wire, filled with fury and righteous indignation here. I must also mention Diane Venora, who plays Wigand’s long-suffering wife. She also sinks into her meaty role and makes the absolute most of it.

This movie is an actor’s paradise, providing everyone with an opportunity to shine and show their stuff. It is also a daring, penetrating insight into the nature of truth, as well as the nature of heroism. Russell Crowe is playing a real hero here. A man who does not dodge bullets or defuse bombs, but he is trying to save lives in his own way. He is a man who stands up for what he feels is right, even if it means that he will lose most everything he cares about.

I did not quite love “The Insider” as much as my two comrades did, but I would still recommend anyone to charge out and rent this film (hell, BUY it, what else are you going to do with the money?) as soon as possible.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 11th, 2000 at 9:22 pm and is filed under Dale's Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.