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The Insider

year 1999decade 90sdirector Michael Manngenre Drama / Thriller

157 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Al Pacino Lowell Bergman
Russell Crowe Dr. Jeffrey Wigand
Christopher Plummer Mike Wallace
Diane Venora Liane Wigand
Philip Baker Hall Don Hewitt
Lindsay Crouse Sharon Tiller
Debi Mazar Debbie De Luca
Renee Olstead Deborah Wigand

The Insider | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeck format Luminary re-releaseformat 25th anniversary
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Casting What-Ifs

Val Kilmer was reportedly considered for Wigand; Wings Hauser prompts an objection and defense.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:57Read transcript
  • Val Kilmer is the reported alternative for Wigand, leading to discussion of career opportunities and comparison with Russell Crow.
  • Top Gun, Willow, Heat, Batman and The Saint are examples of possible Kilmer career paths.
  • Avoiding the Wings Hauser casting is a wish, opposed by a defense of the performance.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Writing, source access, hostile reactions, a journalist cameo and the decision to limit smoking are discussed.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:05Read transcript
  • The original title is reported as Man of the People.
  • Roth and Mann reportedly wrote the first draft at the Broadway deli, with the bar-versus-table detail questioned.
  • Crow could not discuss the events with Wigand because the confidentiality restriction still applied outside court.
  • Wallace reportedly disliked the film; a Mann account describes a hostile Hewitt elevator encounter that turns into criticism of Bergman.
  • Bergman’s Berkeley and Frontline roles are reported, and Pete Hamill is identified as the journalist cameo receiving the leak.
  • Wigand reportedly did not want cigarettes shown, though Middle East smoking is noted; more smoke is argued to suit Pacino and the atmosphere.
  • The effect of smoking imagery is acknowledged while discussing convincing and awkward screen smokers, including television Don Johnson and Goodfellas De Niro.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

How would the scandal unfold in the internet era?

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:33Read transcript
  • Manipulation, competing news and short attention could change the impact of the story.
  • Possible factions include cigarette defenders, people who already knew the danger and contract loyalists criticizing Wigand.

Picking Nits

The wife’s early reaction is questioned, with counterarguments, and NBA semifinals wording is rejected.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:29Read transcript
  • The wife seems quick to turn against Wigand after the job loss; a bad preexisting marriage, anger and poor communication are counterarguments.
  • Wigand is jokingly a difficult hang who cannot discuss even small talk because of confidentiality.
  • NBA semifinals should be conference finals or third round; the Knicks’ actual finals appearance is recalled.