Other Winners and How to Win!

Winner June '00

• • •

The Insider

Posted by: Neil (NEILTEJANO)

• • •

I do have to agree with you that the idea of The Insider as an exciting movie kind of baffles me <g>. Why do you say that?

I just found The Insider riveting, from beginning to end. Director Michael Mann probably knew the potential for the movie to be dull as he uses all sorts of filmmaking techniques to keep it exciting as we watch Jeffrey Wigand on the edge of making so many decisions that affect himself and his family, as well as others. One obvious technique was the music: it helped to convey a sense of urgency in crucial scenes, as well as sadness in others.

Another, much less obvious technique, is the cinematography. Mann's director of photography, Dante Spinotti, uses a lot of close ups of character's faces which helps create a claustrophobic, tense feeling. He also uses a handheld camera to create the same sort of air of shaky uneasiness.

These techniques really enhanced what was already a strong script that makes clear the enormous amount of weight on Wigand's shoulders. Of course, we already knew what was going to happen and the story itself doesn't really seem as though it should make for such an exciting movie. But the added layers of urgency and tension (due to the aforementioned techniques) made the film more compelling because the audience better understands and feels the pressure that Wigand feels in making his decisions.

When I saw this movie last November I was so impressed and have felt ever since that it was the best film of last year. It's a shame that it was robbed in so many categories last March at the Academy Awards® (particularly Russell Crowe for Best Actor). Oh well, as long as people eventually see the movie, that's all that really matters. It really is a piece of technical virtuosity.

- Neil

What's your favorite "true" movie? (The Insider) Other Nominees: 'The Patriot' well worth it • • • Which 'Alien' movie is the worst? • • • Hamlet (2000) • • • Shanghai Noon • • • Mara's Viewing Journal (The Usual Suspects) • • • New Film: Dr Monkey!