REEL CRITICS

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Reel Critics column features movie critiques written

by community members serving on our panel.

‘Insider’ is a compelling, Pacino-driven drama

Intriguing. Alarming. Compelling. Engrossing. All these adjectives

correctly apply to “The Insider,” Al Pacino’s latest starring vehicle.

The basic premise of the “little guy” jousting against one of the

country’s giant major industries makes it intriguing. The

behind-the-scenes and face-to-face machinations of business monoliths who

think they can flimflam their victim, the U.S. government and the public

will set off alarms in every viewer.

The events, individually and collectively, as the drama moves inexorably

along, makes this recounting compelling. And the complications that drive

the storytelling make this film one of the most engrossing of the year.

The story is true. Jeffrey Wigand, a vice president in research for the

cigarette company Brown & Williamson, is fired. Shortly after he is

approached by Lowell Bergman (Pacino) of “60 Minutes” to tell the

American public what he knows about whether cigarettes are addictive and

can be fatal. Despite contrary testimony under oath by top executives of

all the leading tobacco companies, the controversy is exploding and a

first-rate subject for the news magazines.

The fact that anyone who follows the news, no matter how desultory, is

aware that all this is indisputable, does not dissipate the suspense.

Although we know the outcome, how Wigand’s interview was finally aired on

“60 Minutes,” the step and setbacks before it is finally accomplished is

a cliffhanger painstakingly, but clearly, pieced together.

As Bergman, a senior producer on “60 Minutes,” Pacino brings a passion to

his role that makes his drive and integrity a refreshing reminder of

seemingly forgotten standards for journalists. His performance is a

highlight of the picture.

Next to Pacino in quality acting is Russell Crowe, who plays the

whistle-blower Wigand. Crowe makes us understand and empathize with the

agonies and vacillations he went through during this extended period --

including the loss of his family, threats against his family and life,

and a barrage of lies to discredit him “leaked” to the public.

These harassments occurred both before he was interviewed and in the long

weeks when the powerful tobacco cartel put pressure on CBS to suppress

the segment. CBS top management, in turn, successfully intimidated “60

Minutes” to keep them from airing it.

It has been reported that Mike Wallace, the eminence gris of the awesome

CBS flagship news show, was not happy with Christopher Plummer’s

interpretation of him. As a devoted “60 Minutes” fan, it seemed Plummer

did a competent and discerning acting job.

Don Hewitt, who has made “60 Minutes” what it is, also shows some clay on

his feet. Remember, however, this is a true story, and these errors in

judgment by such stalwart personalities are handled with enough

exposition and sensitivity that the motivations can be understood.

Although Touchstone, the production company, acknowledges there were a

few changes for dramatic purposes, “The Insider” is basically a

straightforward recounting of a powerful and major event in recent

American history.

Much of “The Insider” is exemplary filmmaking. Some of the directing by

Michael Mann, however, and many feet of the editing were just downright

bad. The credits listed three editors, who obviously worked at odds with

each other or were given confusing instructions by Mann.

Whatever Mann’s reasons for extreme close-ups, or being “turned on” by

the current fad of psychedelic effects and quick cuts, or not having a

clear vision of what he wanted in his final cut, the movie suffers from

some of the most erratic directing and inept editing of the decade.

Don’t let these flaws keep you from seeing “The Insider.” Just mutter

imprecations under your breath at the bad shouts and lousy editing.

You’ll find tolerance worthwhile. Shortly, the movie gets back to

straightforward shooting and will grab you totally.ELEANORE HUMPHREY,

“over 65,” lives in Costa Mesa and is a political junkie involved with

several city committees.

‘Insider’ is one of the year’s best

In telling the true story of a journalist’s investigation of the tobacco

companies’ marketing practices, “The Insider” is more than a glorified

documentary. It is a gripping and suspenseful sequence of events that

packs as much punch as a good mystery novel.

The cast includes Al Pacino as Lowell Bergman, a producer at “60

Minutes,” Christopher Plummer as “60 Minutes” journalist Mike Wallace,

and Russell Crowe as research scientist Jeffrey Wigand.The film begins

with a seemingly irrelevant scene in Iran between Bergman and Wallace

that basically sets the tone for Wallace’s tenacity, and also sets forth

his relationship with his producer, Bergman. The film then switches to

the story at hand.In 1995, Bergman tells Wallace and “60 Minutes”

executive producer Don Hewitt that he believes Wigand, a research

scientist recently fired by Brown & Williamson -- the nation’s

third-largest cigarette company -- is ready to blow the whistle on his

former bosses. The repercussions of such information could be

immense.Wigand would be putting himself on the line by violating a

confidentiality agreement he signed with Brown & Williamson that paid him

$300,000 per year -- his new job as a teacher pays him a tenth of that.

Wigand’s wife is upset that he would put the welfare of his family at

risk.Despite the risks, Wigand presses forward. Why? It isn’t heroism. It

isn’t until his former boss uses veiled threats to push for a tougher

confidentiality pact that Wigand’s anger rises. Crowe’s performance as

Wigand deftly reveals this isolated man who seems to close off his

emotions for fear of what might happen if they should spill out. This

performance is clearly one of the best of the year.This true story, like

“All the President’s Men” and “Quiz Show,” is full of suspense and

realism. It is truly one of the year’s best, especially considering the

award-worthy performance of Crowe. Even though it may appear to be a

less-than-exciting subject, this film is a must-see for all, and it will

surprise even the most skeptical viewers.

* MICHELLE HANCOCK, 27, lives in Newport Beach with her husband and works

for a Costa Mesa law firm.