 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Insider
- Review Date: January 10, 2005
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Fascinating whistleblower story for older teens.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has tense scenes, strong language, smoking, and some drinking.
What's the story?
In THE INSIDER, Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a research scientist for a tobacco company, tells 60 Minutes that the company is more aware of the addictive properties of nicotine than its executives claimed and in fact manipulated the delivery of nicotine. Show producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) promises to protect him. But executives cut Wigand's portion from the broadcast because they're worried about a lawsuit by the tobacco company. Wigand and Bergman are caught in parallel moral dilemmas. Both are loyal to their organizations until they witness what they perceive as acts of corruption. Both respond by making their stories public, resulting in struggle and sacrifice. The question is not one of disloyalty, but of conflicting loyalties. Wigand knows that telling the truth will hurt him and his family more than it hurts the tobacco company.
Is it any good?
Although the movie is based on a real-life incident, some of the names and details have been changed. Director/co-screenwriter Michael Mann very skillfully makes every shot and every note of the soundtrack help shape the story so that the viewer sees Bergman's perspective. (One hint: the Bergman character is unerringly fair and honest.) Families should be sure to discuss the point of view of the movie, and how it would differ if it was told from Wigand's, Wallace's, or the tobacco company's point of view.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the point of view of the movie. Director/co-screenwriter Michael Mann very skillfully makes every shot and every note of the soundtrack help shape the story so that the viewer sees Bergman's perspective. (One hint: the Bergman character is unerringly fair and honest.) Families could also discuss how the movie would be different if it was told from Wigand's, Wallace's, or the tobacco company's point of view.
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AGE
Profanity and the main theme of smoking and the tobacco company is the only reason why this should be kept away from tween's
Endlessly fascinating and extremely well mad, the Insider is a haunting account of one mans attempt at getting back his life after being fired and of the enormous consequences that come with this, and of the man on the outside who is just trying to get a story. Honestly, this movie really isn't all that offensie for most teens, aside from the infrequent but very strong profanity which accoutns for at least 34 F-words, and also which is not in the least bit expected at all, the constant theme and visual image of smoking. A spellbindingly interesting movie this is, but most tweens will be bored.
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| Studio: | Touchstone Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Mann |
| Cast: | Al Pacino, Debi Mazar, Russell Crowe |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 157 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 5, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | April 11, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language |
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