Reviews

Films

The Insider

Directed by Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Russell Crowe

Two heroes emerge from Michael Mann's The Insider. One is the man that the title refers to, Jeffrey Wigand, played by Russell Crowe. Another, played by Al Pacino, is a producer for the CBS current affairs program 60 Minutes, Lowell Bergman. Because this story is based on real event, we are led to believe that what we are watching is what actually occurred. Subsequent to the film's release, questions were raised of its accuracy, particularly in its account of how influential Bergman really was. However, these alleged factual flaws do not weaken the film.

A goldmine of rich performances and exceptional direction, The Insider is the best film made by a guy who's made quite a few. Michael Mann, director of The Last of The Mohicans, Manhunter and Heat, here accomplishes incredible feats, such as getting into the head of Wigand, a tobacco industry whistleblower who loses a lot after coming forward. Crowe is excellent as the shy, tortured Wigand, delivering a subtle turn as a family man who suffers irreparable damage for trying to do the right thing.

But the film's real champion of justice is Bergman, handled expertly by Pacino. Mann suggests that Bergman was the key figure in getting 60 Minutes to broadcast Wigand's segment after legal threats see CBS back away from the story. Reports have challenged how big a part the producer played in allowing the story to air, but as a narrative tool it makes sense to make Bergman the central crusading manipulator. Smaller details aside, what is true is that these tobacco firms were deliberately making their products more dangerous - that is shocking enough. Ben Davey

To Live and Die in LA

Directed by William Friedkin, starring William Petersen, Willem Dafoe

The year after William Petersen (probably best known these days as Mr CSI), starred in this gripping William Friedkin directed-crime drama, he played the lead in Michael Mann's underrated Manhunter. That Thomas Harris adaptation and To Live and Die in LA are similar beasts, and have more in common than Petersen's name in their credits. They are both visually spectacular, and play like moving magazines or extended rock film clips. Thankfully, they are also both highly absorbing police procedurals featuring skilled performances.

In Manhunter, Brian Cox made a lasting impression as Dr Hannibal Lector, while here Willem Dafoe scores a goal playing murderous counterfeiter, Rick Masters. Petersen is Richard Chance, a driven secret agent out for revenge, after Masters kills his partner.

This is 116 minutes of premier action filmmaking, featuring a chase sequence that I rate higher than those in Bullitt, Ronin or The French Connection. And viewers driven barmy by predictable final acts are advised to stay with this film to the death.

Yet another example of Friedkin's ability to keep an audience on its toes, To Live and Die in LA works best during its most energetic sequences. It's less successful when it tries to delve into the psyches of its characters - the story does not require such explanations and gets a little bogged down pondering each man's motivations. However, this is a small blemish on a film that's a prime example of how to enliven an old genre. Watch alongside Manhunter and you'll see two modern stylists approach a similar story from different angles. BD

(China Daily 01/30/2008 page20)