In today's world, with media plagued by fake news, it is difficult to imagine reporters who were willing to go extra mile and risk their lives just to expose some unpleasant and well-hidden truths. Few did so like Günther Walraff, German journalist who is protagonist of 1990 film The Man Inside. Inspired by his 1970s successful infiltration into the newsroom of Bild, Germany's influential right-wing tabloid, the plot begins with Wallraff (played by Jürgen Prochnow) being harangued on the pages of Bild-like newspaper; he decides to turn tables on them by taking false identity, getting the job as its reporter and exposing the way the newspaper distorts through and manipulates with the public, sometimes with tragic and violent consequences. Fascinating story and fascinating character are, unfortunately, wasted in this film, whose scriptwriters decided to mix facts with fiction, making The Man Inside look like a cheap and unconvincing political thriller. Prochnow is very good in his role, but can't rescue this film, which looks terrible whenever Dieter Laser appears in the role of Wallraff's editor, portrayed as over-the-top cartoonish villain.
RATING: 3/10
