The Insider (1999) (original) (raw)
Plugin not supported.
where to watch
Original title
The Insider
Year
1999
Running time
151 min.
Country
United States
Director
Screenwriter
Cast
Music
Cinematography
Producer
Genre
Mystery. Drama | Journalism. Courtroom Drama / Lawyers. Based on a true story
Synopsis
Based on the article "The Man Who Knew Too Much," THE INSIDER depicts the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a successful scientist who is fired from the Brown & Williamson tobacco company for objecting to certain lab tests. He signs a confidentiality agreement to ease the company's nervousness, but when hotshot 60 MINUTES producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) recruits Wigand to help him decipher some technical documents, he realizes that there's a bigger story hiding inside Wigand. Eventually Bergman convinces him to break the agreement and sit for an interview with Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). The resulting media frenzy causes Wigand to lose the support of his family and forces Bergman to confront the harsh reality of his business. Additionally, Wigand is recruited by the state of Mississippi to testify on its behalf that cigarettes are, in fact, addictive. To pay the rent, he begins teaching high school chemistry, waiting for Bergman to convince the network to air the piece. Buckling under corporate pressure, CBS pulls the plug, which sparks Bergman to leak information to the press. As Wigand deals with his personal dilemma, Bergman battles the corporation that begins to show its true colors. Both men must decide for themselves if they've made the right choices.
Rankings Position
Awards
1999: 7 Nominations for Oscar, including Best Cinematography, Director, Editing, Sound
1999: 5 Nominations for Golden Globe, including Best Director, Movie - Drama
1999: Nominated for BAFTA Awards: Best Actor (Russell Crowe)
1999: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: 4 Awards, including Best Picture
1999: 2 Awards National Board of Review: Freedom of Expression and Actor (Crowe)
1999: Critics' Choice Awards: Best Actor (Russell Crowe). 2 Nominations
Critics' reviews
- "A good but far from great movie because it portrays truth telling in America as far more imperiled than it is."
- "A borderline pretentious, overly inflated picture"
- "A big, bold movie that gets at undeniable truths about the way no one, no matter how powerful, is immune from manipulation"
- "Has the glorious look and immaculate technique we expect from Mann, along with a wealth of superb secondary performances."
- Show 5 more reviews
Movie Soulmates' ratings
Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings
Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.
Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]
All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.
For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org