How the Insider became the Outsider...

Another one of my 'top ten' films in 1999. I was anxiously awaiting this film after seeing the previews long before it hit the box office. I had seen Russell Crowe on a talk show talking about his role in it, and of course ever since I had seen him in LA Confidential, I was sold on him in that performance.

He really researched the role of Jeffrey Wigland in this tobacco war and what the ordeal did to his life, both professionally and personally. Russell Crowe gained an incredible amount of weight, dyed his hair gray, and adapted the walk and mannerisms of the real Jeffrey Wigland. He really tried to mimic every detail of the man. He was such a mousy character in this you would have thought he was the real deal. This role just shows what a range of acting ability he has, when you compare it to the young sophisticated detective he played in LA Confidential.

The movie depicts the emotional turmoil he went through when deciding whether to really trust the 60 minutes team with his 'inside' information. That became apparent in his personal life as the paranoia set in, affected his marriage, and later on his professional career. I mean, he went from being a scientist in a major corporation to teaching it, I believe, in a high school classroom. Talk about a fall from grace!! He really became the 'outsider' in all aspects of his life.

Al Pacino gave an excellent performance, more towards the end of the film when he went up against the 'big guys' at 60 minutes. Christopher Plummer did a fine job of portraying Mike Wallace, but of course Mr. Wallace doesn't hold that opinion. It really showed just how the politics played such a role in big organization, big television industry (60 minutes) on how exactly to handle this big tobacco thing and whether they should let the viewing public see it. After all, there are the ratings!!

It is quite long, but needs to tell a story and all of the main characters are on screen telling it from their perspective.

The music really sets the pace for this movie. Fast-moving, heart-pounding that intensified the scenes. Music by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke, of which I am happy to say I am the proud owner of now after seeing the picture!! I think it's gonna be a toss-up with Russell Crowe and Kevin Spacey this year come oscar time.