DVD When a former tobacco executive decides to expose the secrets of his previous employers, he turns to 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman and finds himself taking on one of America's most powerful industries.
Details
When research biologist Jeffrey Wigand is sacked from Brown and Williamson, one of America's largest tobacco companies, after objecting to some of its practices, he finds himself bound by a strict confidentiality agreement. His severance package provides financial security for both himself and his family, but speaking publicly about what he knows could result in the loss of those benefits and leave him facing potentially ruinous legal action.
When 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman contacts Wigand to help interpret some technical documents, his former employers immediately become nervous and begin applying pressure to ensure that he honours his confidentiality agreement. Their increasingly aggressive attempts to silence him have the opposite effect and Wigand eventually agrees to be interviewed by 60 Minutes, revealing damaging information about the tobacco industry and the addictive nature of cigarettes.
However, recording the interview proves to be only the beginning. With Wigand facing mounting legal pressure, threats against his family and the disintegration of his marriage, Bergman encounters problems of his own when CBS lawyers become concerned that broadcasting the interview could expose the network to a massive lawsuit at precisely the wrong time. With corporate interests threatening to silence the story, Bergman becomes determined to get Wigand's testimony aired, regardless of the opposition standing in his way.
Picture & Sound
The picture is first-rate, with a healthy bit-rate throughout and no obvious signs of artifacting or outlining. The many dark interiors and night-time scenes are handled particularly well, with good shadow detail and strong black levels. Outdoor scenes can occasionally appear a little too bright and washed out, but overall this is an impressive transfer that does justice to Michael Mann's distinctive visual style.
Although this is an extremely dialogue-intensive film, the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack doesn't simply abandon the surround channels. There are a surprising number of subtle ambient effects throughout, with weather effects being particularly impressive. Rain, thunder and background noise frequently extend into the rear channels and help give the film a convincing sense of atmosphere without distracting from the dialogue. Voices remain crisp and firmly positioned in the centre channel throughout.
Menu & Extras
The extras, or rather the lack of them, really do bring down the overall quality and value of this Region 2 release. The sole substantial addition is a making-of documentary which, whilst interesting enough, leaves the package feeling distinctly undernourished for such an important film.
Things become even more disappointing when compared with the Region 1 release, which contains additional material including trailers and another featurette. Given the quality of the film, and the fascinating real-life story behind it, there was certainly plenty of scope for interviews, commentaries and further background material. Unfortunately, Region 2 owners have once again drawn the short straw.
Overall
The Insider is an absolute gem and further proof that you don't need explosions, car chases and expensive special effects to create a genuinely gripping thriller. For a film consisting largely of people talking in offices, restaurants, hotel rooms and television studios, it's remarkable just how much tension Michael Mann manages to generate. At over two and a half hours it certainly isn't short, yet the story remains engrossing throughout.
The acting from both Al Pacino and Russell Crowe is outstanding. Pacino is on his usual acting autopilot, effortlessly giving Lowell Bergman the determination and presence required to take on both the tobacco companies and his own employers. However, after Gladiator, it's particularly interesting to see a completely different persona from Crowe. Gone is the muscular Roman general, replaced by an overweight, greying and increasingly vulnerable middle-aged scientist whose entire life begins to collapse around him.
Crowe's transformation is remarkable and he completely disappears into the role, but Christopher Plummer is equally deserving of praise as veteran 60 Minutes presenter Mike Wallace. The exchanges between Wallace and Bergman become increasingly fascinating as journalistic principles collide with the realities of working for a huge television network. There's no moustache-twirling villain here; instead, the real enemy is the enormous financial and legal pressure being applied behind closed doors.
Michael Mann handles the material brilliantly. What could easily have become a dry account of corporate wrongdoing instead develops into an intelligent and surprisingly tense examination of whistle-blowing, journalism and just how difficult telling the truth can become when billions of dollars are at stake. The fact that the story is based on real events only makes the whole thing even more disturbing.
The only real problem is that The Insider isn't necessarily the sort of film you'll immediately want to watch again. It's long, demanding and hardly lightweight entertainment, but that doesn't stop it being something you really ought to see. Unfortunately, whilst the film itself is superb, this Region 2 DVD is difficult to recommend outright when the Region 1 release offers the better package. It's just a pity that such an outstanding film wasn't given the special edition treatment it deserves.
Special features
- Making of Documentary
