MovieChat Forums > The Insider (1999) Discussion > Still Crowe's best performance

Still Crowe's best performance

posted 10 years ago by mase-6
14 replies | jump to latest

In all his other films, I see Russell Crowe playing someone. In this film, all I saw on the screen was Jeffrey Wigand. Crowe completely disappeared into the character.

[–] movie80 10 years ago

I actively read and posted on this board a few years ago. I remember people often said they were not sure who was better, Al or Russell (i.e., both were so great one could not say who was better).

I am watching Dr. Wigand interviewed by Charlie Rose on Youtube (1/2):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkTk4HKf9XI

[–] Doom 10 years ago

Agree about Crowe.

Best thing (still) I've seen him do (and I think he's a great actor).

And one of my Top 3 Pacino performances as well.

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[–] Robbmonster 9 years ago

Great Crowe performance, and I also agree about Pacino, one of my top performances from him.

I always take the low-key Donnie Brasco/Serpico/Insider Pacino over the bombastic Glengarry Glen Ross/Devil's Advocate version any day.

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[–] HaloFett 10 years ago

Completely agree. I just rewatched this film two days ago and his performance was flawless. I remember seeing an interview with the real Jeff Wigand, on Charlie Rose I think, and I was stunned by how Crowe got every little mannerism and facial tick down perfectly.

[–] TRinzler 9 years ago

He is a talented actor. His portrayal of John Nash in " A Beautiful Mind" was another memorable performance. Even when he fails to be a chameleon he still delivers, as in Gladiator and "Master & Commander". One of my favourite actors...

[–] guigui-paul 9 years ago

I agree.
I remember seeing "The Insider" for the first time in a huge theater in Paris, back in March 2000.
This scene of Russell Crowe's breakdown in the hotel room, this music, this editing and the desperate look in Crowe's eyes...WOW...also the little scene at the end when the interview is finally uncut and Crowe is watching it with his little girl on tv...both of these scenes moved me to tears, this day.

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[–] shaudetta-24-400310 9 years ago

That is in my top 10 of the best movie scenes I've ever seen. It was so beautiful and really drove home his desperation, loneliness and anger. Him looking at his family in the scenery just got to me. I had to download the soundtrack after I I watched it. Every time it comes on tv and I stop and just enjoy seeing Crowe nail it.

[–] russel_nick33 9 years ago

I might be mistaken but I read or heard somewheres that this performance was the reason he won his Oscar for gladiator. He should have won for this role. So for Gladiator it was like a sorry we messed up here is your Oscar.

[–] KhurramAtta 9 years ago

No, he didn't win his Oscar for this movie. Crowe's performance in Gladiator was good enough to win on it's own merit.He also deserved to win Oscar for A Beautiful Mind which, according to me, is his greatest performace.

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[–] loepark 8 years ago

He probably should have and could have won all three in a row.

Raging Bull = Best movie

[–] clickbait (193) 8 years ago

Nah...he is great here but he is even better in both LA confidential and gladiator in my opinion.

[–] Jones70 (6862) 6 years ago

I agree

[–] TheArgentinian (7251) 5 years ago

It's his most human. ABM was too-showy, Oscar-baity.