tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post1353924821290897412..comments2024-02-10T01:22:29.316-08:00Comments on Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: Revisiting 1999: The Top Ten Films of the Year, #5 --- The Insider (Michael Mann)Kevin J. Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-51165445703986647232012-04-22T15:22:48.466-07:002012-04-22T15:22:48.466-07:00This is a really excellent film and your review do...This is a really excellent film and your review does it justice. I'm glad to see the praise for Bruce McGill who really steals his handful of scenes.Groggy Dundeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14990254767008162244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-54268443824535525342009-12-19T11:14:18.606-08:002009-12-19T11:14:18.606-08:00Jake:
We're in agreement here about the effec...Jake:<br /><br />We're in agreement here about the effectiveness of Mann's tactics. I mention <i>Zodiac</i> at the end of my review and I'm glad to see that somebody else sees the correlation between the two. There's also a lot of similarities between Mann's film and Pakula's <i>All the Presidents Men</i>. I love what you say about the film's ability to elicit paranoia so well. <br /><br />Thanks for the comment, Jake.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-8880202743484903382009-12-19T11:12:24.924-08:002009-12-19T11:12:24.924-08:00Jeffrey:
Thanks for the reply. I hope you drop b...Jeffrey:<br /><br />Thanks for the reply. I hope you drop by here with some comments more often. Have a great holiday!Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-84820315601158537942009-12-19T06:05:50.151-08:002009-12-19T06:05:50.151-08:00The Insider might be my pick for no. 1 of 99. The ...The Insider might be my pick for no. 1 of 99. The big contender, Magnolia, always struck me as too technically cold in its approach to melodrama that it just completely did not work for me (having since caught up with his filmography, though, I need to revisit it). The Insider is such a masterful thriller; the sound of a phone ringing has been used for dramatic effect since just about the start of the talkies, but Mann absolutely terrifed me a times. The only contemporary film that comes close to achieving its ability to make the characters' paranoia our own is Fincher's ZodiacJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078001374402400232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-52830508933897102232009-12-18T15:45:25.115-08:002009-12-18T15:45:25.115-08:00Kevin:
That all makes sense. I particularly li...Kevin: <br /><br />That all makes sense. I particularly like "I have to say his HD stuff was lot more interesting in 2009 than if he had filmed it in a sepia tone or filmed it like a sweeping gangster epic." It's a good point and certainly makes me second-guess myself on whether it was actually the best way for him to modernize the material.<br /><br />Always great to hear your perspective. Thanks, Kevin.Jeffrey Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464544798603030406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-28111523967126368142009-12-18T12:45:14.994-08:002009-12-18T12:45:14.994-08:00J.D.:
You're right about the character types....J.D.:<br /><br />You're right about the character types...I should change that. I think because I wrote this so hastily that I was thinking strictly in terms of "these characters aren't gangsters or professional criminals." So in that regard they are different than past Mann characters. But the character <i>types</i> are on par with Mann does, and I think I mention that at the end of my post...so I probably contradicted myself there, hehe. Thanks for pointing this out though. You're quite right about how Bergmann is at the top of his field, and you're right about how Wigand internalizes everything.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment and I knew you were a big fan of this film. Always nice to have the Michael Mann expert pay a visit when I talk about his films! Thanks, J.D.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-52915237617149342942009-12-18T12:41:50.351-08:002009-12-18T12:41:50.351-08:00Jeffrey:
That's an interesting quote from Gr...Jeffrey: <br /><br />That's an interesting quote from Gray, a filmmaker I really like (especially his wonderful <i>Two Lovers</i>). I too find it interesting that Lynch and Mann never want to work with film again, but perhaps that just means they like the way HD cameras can tell the kind of stories they want to tell. I agree with you about film, but I also think that the HD stuff works in some movies, and <i>Public Enemies</i> was one of those movies. I think Mann was going for a different kind of aesthetic than the usual gangster film, and I have to say that his HD stuff was a lot more interesting in 2009 than if he had filmed it in a sepia tone or filmed it like a sweeping gangster epic. The in-the-moment feel that those cameras gave that film matched the philosophy and the life of Dillinger, and I found that to be a pretty fascinating artistic decision. Ballsy too. <br /><br />BUT, I agree...I still prefer film. I just think that Mann has become a master a shooting digitally. I wonder how Spinotti felt about shooting in HD. <br /><br />Thanks again for the comment, Jeffrey.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-30495276292855643872009-12-18T06:55:10.755-08:002009-12-18T06:55:10.755-08:00Great pick, Kevin! This is, hands down, my fave Ma...Great pick, Kevin! This is, hands down, my fave Mann film and fave film the 1990s. The reason being is that I feel it's his most complete film where all of this thematic preoccupations dovetail perfectly with his style with just the right material.<br /><br />I do have to respectfully disagree with one point you make: "there are no Mann character types in the film"." Not true. Bergman and Wigand are actually two quintessential Mann protagonists. Both are professionals at the top of their game (we learn both of their impressive credentials at certain points in the film). For example, Bergman's introduction, trying to get Sheik Fadlallah to consent to an interview with Mike Wallace establishes the no-nonsense tone of the movie and the professionalism of Pacino's character. He is willing to go, literally, blind into a potentially dangerous situation to get what he wants. He is a consummate professional who knows how to handle things: the quintessential Mann protagonist.<br /><br />As for Wigand, like many Mann protagonists, he internalizes everything (see Frank in THIEF, McCauley in HEAT). The relationship with his wife is very similar to the one between Graham and Molly in MANHUNTER. He too internalizes everything while she shows her emotions. And like many Mann protagonists, Wigand is forced to choose between his own code of ethics, of what he thinks is right, and the harmony of his family. Protags in THIEF and MANHUNTER both have this conflict also.<br /><br />Anyways, I'm rambling. Enjoyed the hell out of your post and couldn't agree more about the film's merits.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-80627038787657698132009-12-18T06:27:19.989-08:002009-12-18T06:27:19.989-08:00Good question.
I must say I do struggle a littl...Good question. <br /><br />I must say I do struggle a little with the post-Insider work. I know that Public Enemies marks the first time he and Spinotti worked together again since The Insider. I am a film guy (I just prefer the softness of it to HD) and think the Mann-Spinotti collaboration is one of the best we have right now in world cinema so it does sadden me a little to see Mann go in the direction he has. I totally understand when lower-budget films use HD, but I still don't fully understand when a reportedly $100M movie (Public Enemies) makes that choice.<br /><br />I read once where the director James Gray said in an interview that if film was invented tomorrow, everyone would rave about it. He went on to say, usually when people get excited about technological advances, it's because they mark an improvement. But the point he was making is that it's odd that people get so excited about HD since it's actually still "inferior" to film. This is debatable, obviously. But I feel the same way as James Gray.<br /><br />I think I've heard that both Mann and David Lynch never want to use film again. I truly hope that's not the case. For me, neither has proven yet that their amazing visual contributions have the same impact on HD.Jeffrey Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464544798603030406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-15231209323972872452009-12-17T22:52:49.088-08:002009-12-17T22:52:49.088-08:00Jeffrey:
Thanks for the comment! I agree with you...Jeffrey:<br /><br />Thanks for the comment! I agree with you about the importance of Mann and how this film marked the beginning of a new chapter for him. I think he and Terrence Malick are two of the most important American filmmakers working today. I'm curious, if <i>Heat</i> and <i>The Insider</i> are your favorite Mann film, what's your take on his recent films where he's experimenting a lot with HD cameras (specifically <i>Collateral</i>, <i>Miami Vice</i>, and <i>Public Enemies</i>? I'd be curious to hear your opinion on those.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-73168091398870334392009-12-17T22:49:13.466-08:002009-12-17T22:49:13.466-08:00Sam:
We're definitely coming at this from dif...Sam:<br /><br />We're definitely coming at this from different angles. Subsequent viewings have only enriched this film experience for me. I also liked <i>Public Enemies</i> a lot more than you...but I'm more than cognizant of the fact that Mann's narrative style isn't to everyones liking.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-49887465753681459862009-12-17T22:47:40.436-08:002009-12-17T22:47:40.436-08:00Ed:
Glad to hear you're also a fan of Bruce M...Ed:<br /><br />Glad to hear you're also a fan of Bruce McGill. I liken him to a J.T. Walsh caliber character actor...meaning I'm almost always happy to see him pop up in a movie.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-14933381011559369712009-12-17T21:19:21.766-08:002009-12-17T21:19:21.766-08:00This definitely seems to be one of the most divisi...This definitely seems to be one of the most divisive films he's made. I've found that most people that like Mann almost always like Heat, Manhunter, and Thief. But this one seems a little less popular. <br /><br />But for me, after Heat, The Insider is my favorite Mann film. Not only does the emotional trajectory work for me. But I find it formally to be one of the most audacious and accomplished films of the 90s. <br /><br />I see it as the beginning of a new chapter for Mann, the start of his departure into a more abstract approach (I'm thinking of the scene with Crowe at the driving range). This direction we see him continue (albeit to a less successful end) with Ali and all its editing, color, lens, and film stock experimentation.<br /><br />It's my hope that people will continue to study and look at Mann. And that this film, in particular, will continue to grow in stature.Jeffrey Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464544798603030406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-4622292482175697002009-12-17T20:32:50.819-08:002009-12-17T20:32:50.819-08:00I liked this particular film Kevin the first time ...I liked this particular film Kevin the first time in the theatre, but somehow it has lost something after re-viewings. Sure Crowe, Plummer et al give exceptional performances, and the film still packs an enormous wallop in places, but it's a talky, sometimes tedious view that seems at times to present it's case with a sledge hammer. Still, it's a far better film than his recent PUBLIC ENEMIES, a film that never probes deeper than surface-level. You have again reviewed a film exhaustively and with great passion, a winning combination!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-31224401342763072872009-12-17T18:26:01.776-08:002009-12-17T18:26:01.776-08:00I'm not as crazy as you are about this film, b...I'm not as crazy as you are about this film, but it's a good one. And the performances, as they always are in Mann's work, are fantastic across the board. I'm especially glad you picked out the work of Bruce McGill, who is great here in a small part. He appeared in a few Mann films in small peripheral roles like this and he always invests these minor characters with a lot of surprising substance.Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.com