The Insider

Reviewed by: T. Tallis

April 24, 2000

 

Rented "The Insider" last night and so far am very pleasantly surprised (haven't watched the whole thing yet, made it as far as Weiberg's Mississippi deposition). Didn't know Mann had it in him. There are some minor complaints...Mann's predilictions for bad soundtracks and nice-looking but self-consciously distracting photography, plus some grevious miscasting (does anybody buy Michael Gambon as a drawling Southerner?), but overall (again, so far) it's tight, entertaining and remarkably effective. Crowe's damn good, Plummer's hilarious, and Pacino - most amazing of all - doesn't annoy too much. Hope the second half remains as engaging.