The Insider 1999

Roger Ebert, At the Movies: The film is accurate in its broad strokes. Read more

Susan Stark, Detroit News: In an era dominated by puff pieces, this is one mighty meaty movie. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Mann has directed The Insider with a pulse-quickening panache that heightens the tensions within its story. Read more

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Crowe finds every nuance, every nook and cranny of Wigand's anger and isolation, his self-righteousness and his self-sacrifice. It's an astonishing, Oscar-worthy performance. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Exceptional. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A vigorous and engrossing exercise in '70s - conspiracy - movie nostalgia. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: Pumped up with sharp editing, vivid performances and a damning true story to tell, it's a morality tale with a hard contemporary punch. Read more

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture: It's a good thing Wigand isn't a conventional, come-to-the-rescue hero in The Insider, because, although Michael Mann tries for a victory dance, there's ultimately little cause for cheer. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: What I didn't expect was an intelligently absorbing entertainment that ran for two hours and 40 minutes, during which I didn't once look at my watch -- just about the highest praise I can bestow upon a film these days. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Riveting, powerful, compelling. Read more

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: It has a marvelous ensemble cast and all the visceral impact and moment-to-moment tension of a fine thriller, together with the distinctive visual style of an art film. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Pacino and Crowe are at their best, but the supporting cast also shines. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: The movie reveals Michael Mann's unparalleled ability to fashion taut suspense from unpromising material. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: The Insider has the customary flair associated with Mann and lenser Dante Spinotti. Read more

J. Hoberman, Village Voice: At 155 minutes, The Insider may be pumped-up, but it's rarely boring. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: A well-orchestrated nightmare that keeps you on edge until the very end. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: Mann, who mastered style in his TV series Miami Vice and previous films like Heat, adds substance to the formula with the intensely dramatic, fiercely principled Insider. Read more