This week on Forgotten Cinema, The Mikes are diving into Michael Mann’s The Insider (1999), starring Russell Crowe and Al Pacino in a tense, real-life whistleblower drama about Big Tobacco, journalism, and corporate corruption.

But while Mike Field considers it a masterpiece of slow-burn storytelling, Mike Butler has broken Field's heart by thinking it’s too long! So, does The Insider earn its nearly 160-minute runtime, or could it have used some editing? The Mikes break down the performances, Mann’s signature style, and whether it still holds up today.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema.

What do you think? Masterpiece or overlong? What's your favorite Mann film? Let us know in the comments!

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0:00 - Introduction

2:06 - Film Facts

10:18 - Film Discussion

36:38 - Critic Reviews

44:45 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

49:36 - Why Is This Forgotten?

53:29 - Plugs

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