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The Informant

The Informant

The Informant rated 3.5

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Release Date: 18 September 2009
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Matt Damon, Joel McHale, Scott Bakula
Details: US/TBC (15A)

When initially hearing of a Steven Soderbergh film starring Matt Damon as a high level corporate informant, you'd be forgiven for thinking "thriller." It's based on a true story, has an Oscar winning director and star, and has been mooted as award worthy by some critics. But The Informant is ostensibly a comedy, about quite possibly the biggest gobshite to ever inform for the FBI. It was an extremely brave role for Damon to take, and indeed one for Soderbergh to direct; his character is so immensely spineless and irritating, you'll find yourself wishing Scott Bakula's FBI Agent would just start pistol-whipping him. But, somehow, this still manages to be very funny.

Damon is Mark Whitacre, a high level employee at lysine developing company, ADM. Lysine, the narration informs us, is an ingredient in pretty much everything you eat - so the company is huge. Soon after we first meet Whitacre, he's informing his boss that there is a mole within ADM and a foreign competitor wants millions of dollars to give them up. But his boss then calls in the FBI, who begin an investigation, only to be told by Mark that there is a much bigger price-fixing scam at work. Before he knows it, he's in way over his head, lying like his life depended on it and becoming increasingly deluded with his position at the company and the FBI.

Executed with an almost intrusive quirkiness by Soderbergh, The Informant has a perplexing opening half hour or so. You're not quite sure of Whitacre's motivations, which in turn clouds the movie with ambiguity. But that then works in its favour when the lies become more outlandish, and the tone all the more clearer. This is very much a comedy. Subverting things further by casting known comedic actors in completely straight roles, and vice versa, you get the impression that challenging the audience, as opposed to confusing them, was the point. It doesn't always work, and some may find the lead character too grating to sit through for any protracted period of time, despite Damon’s strong performance.

Turning his action star persona on its head, Damon is both amusing and tragic, physically embodying the role with admirable dedication. Bakula and McHale both offer fine support as the bemused Federal Agents - with some of their reactions ranking amongst the film's funniest - while the rest of the cast are thankfully aware of the tone their director was going for. Offbeat and amusing - once you have the sufficient patience.

Review by Mike Sheridan :
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Your Reviews

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Stylish, entertaining and funny. Take a look. - simonconnolly

The Informant! is the true story of Mark Whitacre. While working high up in lysine development company ADM he contacts the FBI and starts to act as an informant in a price fixing scandal. In his... MORE
Review Published 29 January 2010

Star Rating: simonconnolly has rated The Informant  rated 4

Total rubbish! - packie

Wont waste my time writing too much, just to say it was the worst 1hr 45mins of my life absolute drivel, pointless and painful to watch. Only for the big bag of popcorn i had, i'd have been out that... MORE
Review Published 03 December 2009

Star Rating: packie has rated The Informant  rated 1

great funny film!!! - the informer

it depends in the time of day you watch this film!! 10.30 am is ideal with time to immerse yourself completely. yes a quirky but really funny film. good review also!!
Review Published 02 December 2009

Star Rating: the informer has rated The Informant  rated 4

can't believe it's true! - movielover

hilarious & slightly distrubing that this is a true story. matt damon is brilliant, with bakula as a great support. even up until the end we don't know what's the truth. well worth the watch.
Review Published 30 November 2009

Star Rating: movielover has rated The Informant  rated 3

Not sure what went wrong - Siobhan L

So a high flier with Archer Daniels Midlands Corporation Whitacer (Damon) tells his boss that they are being blackmailed by a saboteur and the FBI are brough into to investigate. When working with... MORE
Review Published 28 November 2009

Star Rating: Siobhan L has rated The Informant  rated 3

Karen Quinn - Karen Quinn

This movie was better than melatonin or any other sleep aid.
Review Published 20 October 2009

Star Rating: Karen Quinn has rated The Informant  rated 1

informer - dennis K

like many have said it is boring! a waste of money and time. I sleep through most of it. This should be rated -1
Review Published 04 October 2009

Star Rating: dennis K has rated The Informant  rated 1

THIS MOVIE WAS PAINFULL - Cinema Afficionado

This movie sucked rocks. The script was boring, Matt Damon was a blithering idiot who failed to inspire any feeling in me whatsoever, the lady who plays his wife was seriously miscast and should... MORE
Review Published 04 October 2009

Star Rating: Cinema Afficionado has rated The Informant  rated 1

A man who tries to beat the system - Lacy

This movie was most excellent and definatley most triumphant Matt Damon was also most most excellent. I suggest this movie to everyone.
Review Published 01 October 2009

Star Rating: Lacy has rated The Informant  rated 5

loved it - fireyone

I had not seen the trailer. My only preconceived notion was that I have loved everything in which Matt Damon has starred. My notion held up yet again. I expected to like it and I did. Perhaps I am... MORE
Review Published 01 October 2009

Star Rating: fireyone has rated The Informant  rated 4

Exellent job on the period piece, bad movie though - David

It was wild to see a seventies look appear on a 90's period piece. The execution of the style and artistic design was faultless. But I felt betrayed by the advertising campaign. The Informant is not... MORE
Review Published 01 October 2009

Star Rating: David has rated The Informant  rated 2

So Much Passion... - Keith

from the reviewers! I am going to see this movie because ya'll either loved it or hated it. And the fact that Damon stepped out of his role type. And because ... uh, that's it, two reasons.
Review Published 30 September 2009

Star Rating: Keith has rated The Informant  rated 3

Not as advertised. - tattytiara

The trailer for this movie definitely deserves five stars. Briskly paced and highly entertaining, I laughed the whole way through. The movie itself, however, was a rather different experience. Solid... MORE
Review Published 30 September 2009

Star Rating: tattytiara has rated The Informant  rated 3

funny-well written- smart - smc

The retelling of an actual event with a humorous twist. This is done straight faced and once you catch on it's funny. Damon does a great job playing against the type of character he usually does. The... MORE
Review Published 30 September 2009

Star Rating: smc has rated The Informant  rated 3

WORST MOVIE OF LIFE! - 0 STAR CRITIC

This movie is a complete and utter waste of time. DO NOT spend your money on this Movie. It was tasteless, bland, and totally misleading. The trailer shows you what you THINK you might see in the... MORE
Review Published 29 September 2009

Star Rating: 0 STAR CRITIC has rated The Informant  rated 1

awful - cc

At times the film seemed to have fallen in a bucket of bleach, it was unwatchable and the script was so very bad. Matt Damon tried to savage the movie through his acting but not even he could save... MORE
Review Published 28 September 2009

Star Rating: cc has rated The Informant  rated 1

Big disappointment. - Craig

I thought any Matt Damon moving would be great. I mean, Jason Bourne after all. How wrong I was. Matt Damon is a great actor, but the plot was ponderous. This movie dragged on and didn't have enough... MORE
Review Published 28 September 2009

Star Rating: Craig has rated The Informant  rated 1

Fun Movie - itisMoni7

I think the movie was hilarious! Matt Damon's character's naration throughout the movie makes it even more entertaining. If you liked Burn After Reading then you will highly enjoy this one - similar... MORE
Review Published 28 September 2009

Star Rating: itisMoni7 has rated The Informant  rated 4

Disappointment - johnny

Terrible movie, 2nd worst one I have ever seen. Matt Damon was the only reason this is even in the theatres. Matt should have known better.
Review Published 27 September 2009

Star Rating: johnny has rated The Informant  rated 1

Excellent - Jules

I thought Matt Damon nailed the role and I was completely captivated by the movie. The subject matter was serious but the dialogue was very humorous! I walked out saying "I hope Matt Damon gets... MORE
Review Published 27 September 2009

Star Rating: Jules has rated The Informant  rated 4

Far from epic! - brimy311

Matt Damon did a good job as the character he played, however the movie was FAR from anything it was built up to be. I think if they would have not made it out to be some epic film, it probably would... MORE
Review Published 27 September 2009

Star Rating: brimy311 has rated The Informant  rated 3

Terrible Movie - Dave A

This is the worst movie that I have ever seen. The people that like this movie and give it four stars must be one of a kind because very few people like this movie...The scenes are darkish brown,... MORE
Review Published 26 September 2009

Star Rating: Dave A has rated The Informant  rated 1

Dave A - Dave A

This movie is a terrible movie. We had almost decided in the first 20 minutes to walk out on the movie but chose to watch it all. This is the worst movie that I have ever seen. The film quality is... MORE
Review Published 26 September 2009

Star Rating: Dave A has rated The Informant  rated 1

Reminiscent of like - MovieFan

Complicated story of industrial espionage, corporate intrigue, corruption and deception. Very intriguing. Matt Damon playing against type, much as George Clooney did in "Siriana." Clooney... MORE
Review Published 26 September 2009

Star Rating: MovieFan has rated The Informant  rated 3

Don't waste your time or money - critique

I was ready to leave after just 20 minutes of this movie. It was not funny, as anticipated, from the trailer. I watched the entire movie, and at the end, the only thing that I could think, was, that... MORE
Review Published 26 September 2009

Star Rating: critique has rated The Informant  rated 1

Terrible - carly

This movie is worse then watching paint dry on the wall. I left the theater actually wanting a refund.
Review Published 25 September 2009

Star Rating: carly has rated The Informant  rated 1

you guys who gave the one stars are idiots - notdum

'there's no humor, no direction...boring. It is stale, dry and monotonous.' these comments illustrate the fact that you guys are star suckers who'd rather have the movie take them from a-b-c (ocean's... MORE
Review Published 24 September 2009

Star Rating: notdum has rated The Informant  rated 4

Disappointing - Nick

Matt Damon played the part perfect. Unfortunately the movie was a complete bust. Very drug out. I don't recommend anyone spending the money on a ticket
Review Published 24 September 2009

Star Rating: Nick has rated The Informant  rated 1

Tim - Tim

Thi is a dopey movie about a dopey gut who can't tell the truth. He is not interesting and not funny. It looks like the makers could't make uo their minds about what kind of movie they were... MORE
Review Published 23 September 2009

Star Rating: Tim has rated The Informant  rated 1

Much better than what others said - BrightLight

We enjoyed this movie. The humour in it is mostly from the voice over comments that tells you what the main character is thinking. Look out for cameo roles for the 2 Smothers Brothers. Hint: they... MORE
Review Published 22 September 2009

Star Rating: BrightLight has rated The Informant  rated 4

Excellant movie - loophole

I am from IL where this movie is set so that some of the central IL characters probably run a little more true to form for me than people who do not live here but I can not imagine any movie-goer... MORE
Review Published 22 September 2009

Star Rating: loophole has rated The Informant  rated 4

What a terrible movie - dtars

I absolutely hated this movie. If it wasn't for the fact that we had someone watching the kids, we would have left 1/4 of the way through and ran home. I regret not asking for a refund. Don't waste... MORE
Review Published 22 September 2009

Star Rating: dtars has rated The Informant  rated 1

would have made a good W5 documentary - St Pepper

For a generation who is weened on every movie needing action and special effects, this movie is not for you....otherwise it ok, still very dry even for its genre but an interesting story- it would... MORE
Review Published 22 September 2009

Star Rating: St Pepper has rated The Informant  rated 2

Bad and A Waste of Time - Midnite001

This is one of the worst movies that I have seen in a while. There is no humor. It is stale, dry and monotonous. First off, the brownish color scheme throughout the movie reminds you of the 40s or... MORE
Review Published 22 September 2009

Star Rating: Midnite001 has rated The Informant  rated 1

worst movie I've seen this year - paige

I'm not one to walk out of movies but his was awful. The movie had no direction or point. Absolutely no humor.
Review Published 21 September 2009

Star Rating: paige has rated The Informant  rated 1

very boring - Teresa

I think this is the worse movie I have ever seen! What a waste of time!
Review Published 21 September 2009

Star Rating: Teresa has rated The Informant  rated 1

Dartk Humor, Documentary-like, DRY humor - spwriter

An informant appears from within the company to help the FBI corner Archer Daniels Midland in an international price-fixing scheme. No one questions his motivations. What develops is truly a train... MORE
Review Published 21 September 2009

Star Rating: spwriter has rated The Informant  rated 5

The Informant - BRANU

I wanted to start off by saying the previews for this movie made it seem slightly enjoyable. Boy oh boy is that miss leading. The whole movie is pretty much mono tone and when you are hoping it will... MORE
Review Published 20 September 2009

Star Rating: BRANU has rated The Informant  rated 1

this movie sucked!! - Jenny

This movie was a waste of time and I cannot believe I spent $10 to see it!!!! It was horrable, and boring.
Review Published 20 September 2009

Star Rating: Jenny has rated The Informant  rated 1

The Informant--Bad flick - Andrea

I was looking to laugh...did not laugh one time in the first hour of this movie. I was falling to sleep...we left the theatre before it was over. Very disappointing would not recommend.
Review Published 20 September 2009

Star Rating: Andrea has rated The Informant  rated 1

Bad flick - Andrea

I was looking to laugh...did not laugh one time in the first hour of this movie. We left the theatre before it was over. Very disappointing would not recommend.
Review Published 20 September 2009

Star Rating: Andrea has rated The Informant  rated 1

4 Stars - Number1Stunna

This movie is excellent well worth the price of the ticket. One you can definitely watch over again and catch something you missed the first time around. Matt Damon's character is a true idiot savant... MORE
Review Published 19 September 2009

Star Rating: Number1Stunna has rated The Informant  rated 4

Rather Slow - jes24p

I don't know why this got 4 out of 5 stars and a large spread in the Arizona Republic. Cleaning my purse out in the theatre became more interesting than this movie. It's good for a couple chuckles,... MORE
Review Published 19 September 2009

Star Rating: jes24p has rated The Informant  rated 2

This movie SUCKS! - Carter

All I have to say is BORING! Walked out halfway through the movie.
Review Published 19 September 2009

Star Rating: Carter has rated The Informant  rated 1

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