The Insider (film)

The insider movie poster 1999

The Insider
Directed by	Michael Mann
Written by	Eric Roth, Michael Mann
Produced by	Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge
Starring	Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer
Cinematography	Dante Spinotti
Edited by	William Goldenberg, Paul Rubell, David Rosenbloom
Music by	Lisa Gerrard, Pieter Bourke
Production companies	Touchstone Pictures, Blue Lion Entertainment, Mann/Roth Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Pictures
Release date	November  5, 1999 (1999-11-05) (US)
Running time	157 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$90 million
Box office	$60.3 million

The Insider is a 1999 American drama film directed by Michael Mann. The film stars Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Plummer. It is based on the true story of a whistleblower in the tobacco industry and the subsequent struggles he faces after revealing the industry's secrets.

Plot

The film follows Jeffrey Wigand (played by Russell Crowe), a former executive at Brown & Williamson, a major tobacco company. Wigand becomes a whistleblower and decides to expose the company's knowledge of the addictive properties of nicotine and the harmful effects of smoking. He collaborates with Lowell Bergman (played by Al Pacino), a producer for the television news program 60 Minutes, to bring the information to the public.

Cast

• Al Pacino as Lowell Bergman
• Russell Crowe as Jeffrey Wigand
• Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace
• Philip Baker Hall as Don Hewitt
• Diane Venora as Liane Wigand
• Lindsay Crouse as Sharon Tiller
• Debi Mazar as Debbie De Luca
• Bruce McGill as Ron Motley
• Gina Gershon as Helen Caperelli

Production

The film was directed by Michael Mann, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth. The cinematography was handled by Dante Spinotti, and the music was composed by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke. The film was produced by Touchstone Pictures, Blue Lion Entertainment, and Mann/Roth Productions.

Reception

The Insider received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and performances, particularly those of Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.

Themes

The film explores themes of corporate ethics, whistleblowing, and the role of the media in exposing corruption. It highlights the personal and professional risks faced by individuals who choose to speak out against powerful organizations.

See also

• Whistleblower
• Tobacco industry
• 60 Minutes (American TV program)
• Michael Mann
• Russell Crowe
• Al Pacino

External links

The Insider at IMDb