the insider be a masterpiece . i only saw it because al pacino be in it while the theme really wasn not very interest for me ( i though that be the usual political correct film against tobacco ) and but then come the big ( big . ) surprise while i find myself see an incredible good film . it have wonderful performance by ( of course ) al pacino and russel crow and christopher plummer and diane venora . it one of that strange case when the theme of the film isn not very interesting and but the film be so well make that you enjoy it like if it would have the most interesting theme possible . michael mann show that be one of the best director while make an absolutely absorbing film and start with a non much interesting theme while it have nearly hypnotic moment ( the most of them when al pacino and russel crow be have a phone conversation ) . it so absorb that the 2 hour and a half of it seem like lee than 1 hour . i can not say what the best thing the film have and why . while because it all while the performance and the dialogue and the location ( with incredible shadow and light in everyone ) and the direction and etc . so and if you want to see one of the best film ( if not the best ) of 1999 and see this masterpiece .