Synopsis
The Insider tells the true story of a man who decided to tell the world what the seven major tobacco companies knew (and concealed) about the dangers of their product. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) was a scientist employed in research for a tobacco firm, Brown and Williamson. Not long after he was fired by Brown and Williamson, Wigand came into contact with Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), a producer for 60 Minutes who worked closely with journalist Mike Wallace (played here by Christopher Plummer). Bergman arranged for Wigand to be interviewed by Wallace for a 60 Minutes expose on the cigarette industry, though Wigand was still bound by a confidentiality agreement not to discuss his employment with the company. Despite Wigand's willingness to talk, CBS pulled his interview from at the last minute after Brown and Williamson threatened a multi-billion dollar lawsuit. The staff of 60 Minutes and CBS News were soon embroiled in an internal struggle over the killing of the story, and Wigand found himself the subject of lawsuits and a smear campaign, without his full story reaching the public. The Insider was directed by Michael Mann and also features Diane Venora, Philip Baker Hall, Debi Mazar, Colm Feore, and Rip Torn.
What Critics Say
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Movie News
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2001 Emmy Award Nominations: Insiders React
It's a year later. There will be a new host. But that's about all that has changed.
Actually, that's a good thing.
HBO's The Sopranos led the way with 22 nominations--including nods for James Gandolfini for best actor in a drama and Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco for best actress in a drama. NBC's The West Wing snagged 18 nominations, including best actor (drama) nods for Rob Lowe and Martin Sheen.
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BEST OF: The Upside of 'The Insider'
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 9, 2000 -- Most end-of-the-year "best of" lists from critics deplore the current state of movies before telling you about the few nuggets that came out that were actually (according to them) worth your time. The year 1999 was different. The critics didn't complain, and rightfully so.
The last of the 1900s marked a groundbreaking revolution in cinema. Films like "Three Kings," "American Beauty," "The Sixth Sense" and "The Blair Witch Project" expanded the boundaries of what traditional generic films could become. True oddballs like "Being John Malkovich" were made and even turned a profit. Sequels like "Toy Story 2" didn't suck.
Overall, going to the movies was about as dreadful as living through Y2K. Instead of suffering through a bunch of bummers, audiences were treated to a diverse, colorful celebration of life as we live it, and where it's he
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'The Insider' Looking Golden
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 17, 2000 -- Yet another awards ceremony honoring the same people and the same films were held this past weekend -- this time by the International Press Academy for its fourth annual Golden Satellite Awards.
Among the winners were some of the award circuit's established favorites including "The Insider", which took top honors as best dramatic film. Its helmer, Michael Mann, was named best director. Previous best-film laurels for "The Insider" came from the likes of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Film Critics Association.
Spike Jonze's first feature "Being John Malkovich" was named best comedy or musical, with the film's show-stealing co-star (and New York Film Critics Circle winner) Catherine Keener taking the award for best supporting actress.
"Boys Don't Cry" actress Hilary Swank continued her winning streak w
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ROLE CALL: 'The Insider' Picks a 'Plum'?
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 1, 2000 -- "The Insider's" Russell Crowe is looking to get the skinny on Claire Danes in the Jodie Foster-directed drama "Flora Plum."
The Hollywood Reporter notes that the actor is in negotiations to join Foster and company on the Depression-era romance, which is slated to begin filming in late summer or early fall.
The story involves a circus freak played by Crowe who falls for a penniless girl (Danes) after taking her in and helping her become a star. Steven Rodgers ("Hope Floats") is the screenwriter.
GOTTA HAVE HART: Melissa Joan Hart's obsession is the 1947 RKO romantic comedy "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer". The teen fave's Heartbreak Films and RKO's independent film arm, Radio Pictures, are teaming up to remake the demi-classic. Hart will star and produce.
The original flick featured Cary Grant and Shirley Temple in th