Duality of Title
Have you ever wondered how a title plays into the life of a film? How it can be a direct lead into what the story of the film is, i.e.: The Godfather, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are two prime examples. Then you have whimsical titles, fantasy-myth genre-ish films: Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings standout. What about a title that you think is clear and precise and even has a supporting image on the movie poster?
The film, I’m going to discuss here is: The Insider by Michael Mann.
When I queried one hundred people if they knew who, The Insider, was in the film, all of them said, Russell Crowe's character, Dr. Jeffery Wigand. Now, granted he was the insider of the tobacco industry, exposing the Seven Dwarfs of Tobacco by testifying in front of Congress, revealing the tobacco industry’s filthy secrets and their disparaging view of the general public. However, Dr. Wigand is not the ultimate insider. His insider status is limited to the tobacco industry. Dr. Wigand suffers major lost in his life. He loses his family, their home, his standing in the industry, all his associates and his friends. The tobacco industry conducts a smear campaign to ruin and destroy, Dr. Wigand. The tobacco industry's goal is not only to vilify Dr. Wigand, its main purpose is to also squash anyone and everyone from ever trying to cross them again. There is nothing Dr. Wigand can do to stop them. Their annihilation of Dr. Wigand is almost complete, when he seriously contemplates taking his own life. Fortunately, he has one friend, one ally.
Al Pacino's character Lowell Bergman, a producer at 60 Minutes is that ally. He is the ideal insider. He has access, standing and clout. Most of all he has the power of the press. We first see Lowell with Mike Wallace (portrayed by Christopher Plummer) in the Middle East, traveling to meet with the Ayatollah Khomeini.
When CBS and Mike Wallace refuse to air the original, unedited interview with Dr. Jeffery Wigand, which would clear him of all the false allegations levied against him by the tobacco industry and support his testimony he gave to Congress, Al Pacino's character, Lowell goes to work. Lowell is relentless and undeterred in keeping his promise to Dr. Wigand. Lowell uses every means in his arsenal to accomplish his mission of saving Dr. Wigand from complete and utter ruination.
Lowell, enlist Pete Hamill, a big-time news reporter, who breaks the story about CBS’ refusal to share the truth with the public. When the outcry of the reading and viewing public, along with other members of the journalism community and possible government involvement, CBS buckles and airs the original story.
Lowell’s actions save Dr. Wigand’s life. He has a chance to start again. Rebuild and if possible, reconnect with his family. As for Lowell, he does not revel in his winning campaign, his efforts of what a true journalist should be. Lowell displays the virtues of a man of truth. A man of courage. A man of integrity. A man of his word. The pinnacle of being, The Insider.
