in write this review and i be tempt to address it to don hewitt and mike wallace . the insider be a devastating film and but i think they be mistake and if they see it a a blanket indictment of 60 minute . it a blanket indictment of the tobacco industry . i do not think we will ever get to the bottom of what go on at 60 minute and with respect to the treatment of the jeffrey wigand interview . this movie be a dramatic piece that take a stab at it and and i think that heap criticism on director or writer michael mann be a huge mistake . this film shouldn not be pick at and it should be applaud . the spirit of this film be exactly the same a that of 60 minute . i doubt that most people watch 60 minute with a notepad in their hand . i think 60 minute get people to think and and hopefully look into issue that be important . i believe that be michael mann goal . the first issue to tackle be the presentation of lowell bergman and former producer at 60 minute and a the white knight of the story . there be complaint that bergman get credit for thing he do not do and and that he do not quit when they say he do and etc . i be remind of the avalanche of criticism that oliver stone receive when he choose jim garrison a his vehicle to probe the jfk assassination . a michael kinsley note at the time and critic assail stone for make a hero of garrison and whom many consider a shameless self promoter and a man of shaky moral and at best . while this attack be take place and across the multiplex you could go see warren beatty and writer james toback near deification of benjamin siegel in bugsy . i be tempt to say that it michael mann dime and so he can pick whatever hero he like . however and i think the truth be that there be a wealth of information he need to convey and and select bergman a his vehicle be the best way to go . the second issue which have supposedly independent viewer up in arm be the aura of suspicion and manufacture or otherwise and that surround jeffrey wigand . this man will probably remain an eternal enigma . be he exaggerate his claim of be harass for some hidden agenda . do he lie about find a bullet in his mailbox . do he try to cover up that he steal an electric can opener . this second issue be at the core of my argument in defense of this film . question represent isn not it more important that wigand and a scientist who work for brown and williamson and provide undisputed testimony that nicotine be be manipulate to bolster it addictive quality and than whether or not he steal an appliance at walmart . shouldn not people be more disgust by the laughable testimony to congress by the seven head of big tobacco ( the seven dwarf and a he refer to them ) . this movie become itself . it a story of how many force there be out in the world that seek to silence agitator . the simple truth be that wigand and wallace and bergman have a story to tell and be crush by some of these force . mann and co writer eric roth want to tell this story on a big a screen a possible and and they get crush and too . i be surprise we do not hear about how michael mann steal some lawn dart when he be in high school and or that roth miss a alfa romeo payment when he be in college . i hope this irony be not lose on mike wallace and don hewitt . it no surprise that this film ( vastly superior to the diverting and but hardly earthshaking american beauty ) be shut out at the oscar . kevin spacey be one of our fine actor and but his character be not in the league of russell crowe work here . crowe wigand and with his birdlike and occasionally irritating behavior and with his egotism and with his intelligence and whoa . this be a performance . reporter once again have a little fun when it be report that crowe do not invite the real wigand to the premiere . i guess this crowe guy must be a schnook . don not give him the oscar . truth be tell and act kudos go to all involve . pacino and a bergman and create a stubborn character and who not ashamed of his liberal nature and even when he in a sea of conservative . christopher plummer controversial characterization be a delight as well . he get wallace legendary tempestuousness and his egotism and his smart down to perfection . the small character be draw with a sharp eye and as well . alert to reporter represent mann wife diane venora play wigand wife . bad news and though and she a wonderful actress and and she great here . sorry . a the settlement from big tobacco come down and mann work on a film about about ali and bergman back work in berkeley where he belong and wigand be up to god know what and and 60 minute chug on and popular a ever . memo to mike wallace and don hewitt represent this be an excellent film . admit it .