In 7 words or less: A man breaks his confidentiality agreement.
What's it all About? Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) is a producer for the award winning American current affairs show '60 Minutes'. Jeffery Wigand (Russell Crowe) is a former research biologist for major tobacco company, Brown & Williamson, who at the beginning of the film is fired. Bergman smells that Wigand is withholding important information regarding his work at Brown & Williamson that would almost certainly fall under the realm of public interest. Although Wigand feels compelled to go on 60 Minutes and tell America what he knows, he is tragically mired by a confidentiality agreement he signed with his former company that prevents him discussing any of his work or research. What ensues is a corporate giants total deconstruction of Jeffery Wigand's life and a first hand account of the insurmountable pressure they place on him not to break his agreement. Based on a true story.
Best bits? Probably my favourite Michael Mann film as far as cinematography goes. The camera work is integral to the story in this film, it's cleverly used to build tension and highlight intense thought and critical focus points; I don't think I've ever seen a film where the camera gets this close to the actors grill. Scenes that really stand out are when Wigand goes to the driving range at night only to realise he's being followed by some corporate heavy and the scene where Bergman's on the beach, shouting down the phone at a hotel manager because he thinks Wigan might try to take his own life.
Did it make you think thoughts? The story sounds so dull but in my opinion this is one of the most thrilling films ever made. Pacino and Crowe put in career defining performances for my money and were shockingly denied Oscars. It's such a captivating watch, every shot is fiendishly interesting and deeply immerses you into the film; this is clearly the culmination of a group of people operating in their absolute prime. It also really made me think about how insanely powerful corporations can be and how far their tentacles can spread into seemingly unrelated avenues.
Would you watch it again? Absolutely! Why is this not out on Blu Ray yet? I watched it on Film 4HD which was stunning but probably just upscaled; I demand 1080p!
Rating (out of 100%): 96% Possibly Michael Mann's second best film. If you haven't seen it I implore you to check it out! Stunning.
