This may just be the most important film of the year for several reasons, one of which is that it tells the true story of an American hero, and the real people who tried to destroy him. By now, you must know that it's the story of Dr.Jeffrey Wigand, who blew the whistle on the tobacco industry in a shattering Mike Wallace interview on 60 Minutes, only to have 60 Minutes refuse to air the interview. His life, as he knew it, was destroyed. Everything about this film is of the highest quality, from the tense direction of Michael Mann, to the brilliant Oscar-worthy performances of Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer and Diane Venora. There are some stunning visual images, and evocative music to underscore them. It makes for a gripping, entertaining, moving, and thought-provoking two and a half hours.

Director Michael Mann is establishing himself as one of Hollywood's best directors and he and co-writer Eric Roth did a great job of adapting this true story to film. When Dr. Jeff Widand (Russell Crowe) was fired and threatened by his "Big Tobacco" employer, he turned to Lou Bergman (Al Pacino), a producer for CBS's 60 Minutes. Widand risked his career and his family to blow the whistle and do an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace, but the interview was kept off the air as CBS Corporate felt it would jeopardize the Westinghouse buyout that was just beginning to become public. This film is the complete package: superior story, acting and all-around style. Pacino is incredible. One of my picks for best picture of '99, this one will leave you breathless (no pun intended).