RichMichaelAnnotation13

“The Insider,” Michael Mann, (1999)
 * 1. Title, Director, Year?**

- media’s influence on politics (Hezbollah) - corporate powers against the individual - the compromise between the job you want and the job that pays the most - consequences to whistle-blowing, mostly negative
 * 2. Central Argument?**

- confidentiality agreements withholding vital information from the public - “the unlimited checkbook” of big business and its silencing power, the amount of money needed to battle corporations - corporate administration holding back on vital information, could be corroborating with tobacco company - corporate interest in silencing the news, profits driving what gets aired and what doesn’t
 * 3. Sustainability Problems?**

- dramatic build-up both on the “60 Minutes” side and Jeffrey’s life, definitely get the feeling something is wrong - Jeffrey’s daughter having breathing problems (acute asthma) builds his case for resenting the tobacco industry - Jeffrey must know something, and he was fired for it, very confusing why he was let go - Lowell’s growing interest in Jeffrey is more than likely going to lead to complications - golf = metaphor for Jeff’s perseverance? - breech of privacy, psychological influence à paranoia - struggle between whistle-blowing and protecting one’s family - threatening email…how real is this? - involving the authorities only complicated things - aggravation of combating big business - incredibly convincing segment developed for “60 Minutes” - unbelievable stresses on multiple levels (psychological, financial, personal…) - Lowell’s participation is now puts him in a similar position to Jeff’s, CBS telling him not to air the story and he strongly disagrees - Mike Wallace’s dilemma of fronting the case that could bring down the network and being remembered for that and nothing else
 * 4. Persuasive? Compelling?**

- truly amazing film, lots of suspenseful moments, didn’t feel as long as it was
 * 5. Not Compelling?**

- Jeff divulging information to “60 Minutes” how is that treated? - are the chemical enhancements true?
 * 6. Info to Seek Out?**

- being that it is a feature film, it is appropriate for the general public
 * 7. Audience?**

- background checks for protective services in the government and companies, clean connections - somehow eliminate the ability for big businesses to stall court cases
 * 8. Actions? Interventions?**

- as a feature film, it is difficult to inject environmental or educational values, as a student looking for these points, there were a few, but it would have probably taken away from the film if the topics were made more blatant.
 * 9. Enhance film environmentally? educationally?**