The Informant!
Based on a tattle-tale
Mark Whitacre is secretly rolling tape during a meeting of corporate honchos who are illegally fixing the price of food additives. Meeting after meeting, Mark rolls tape after tape. He's sure the tapes will make him a U.S. hero. What went wrong?
Director Steven Soderbergh reteams with one of his Ocean's trilogy stars for a snappy skewering of big business based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistle-blower in U.S. history. Matt Damon portrays Whitacre, whip-smart and immensely likable even as his schemes become increasingly untethered. Pay attention to the fun and intrigue of The Informant! and be informed!
Member Reviews
Good yarn - Clarice_Starling
I was pleasantly surprised at what a good movie this was, the pace was good and Matt Damon was very believable as the pathological whistle blower. It's a sad commentary on what happens to people who don't feel they have enough, be it money, power, recognition.
The only dissappointment was there were no special features included on the disc, it would have been interesting to see interviews with the real Mark Whitacre, for example.So Sad and Shocking it's Fun - MovieProf
It's hard to believe "The Informant" is based on a true story, but I did my research, and it turns out that that is indeed the case. Stephen Soderbergh's comedy is about the exploits of Mark Whitacre--a nobody who became famous due to his...how can I say it...delusions.
Whitacre works at Archer Daniels Midland, a company that produces grains and seeds found in food and beverages. Whitacre seems to be on the up-and up, until it is revealed that he is a serious pathological liar who eventually becomes an informant for the FBI working on a case that is largely fabricated in his own mind.
The real Whitacre embezzled millions from the company, and eventually spent years in jail for various other crimes. We get to see firsthand just how he managed to pull all that off.
Matt Damon is brilliant in a role here that reinvents his persona. He goes from a regular action hero to an overweight, middle-aged company man who is so out of touch with reality, that his own wife has trouble understanding what's going on in his mind. It's a refreshing change for Damon, who proves that he is a far more dynamic actor than most people realise.
Along with Damon, Soderbergh's touch makes this film. Choosing to delve into the mind of Whitacre in a humourous way initially caught me offguard, but eventually won me over. This film is funny, but not from punchlines--it's the real-life situations Whitacre places himself in that made me laugh. Bravo.Not firing on all cylinders, but still good. - DannyN16
There's a disconnect in this movie. The performances are solid, the quirkiness in the score is spectacular, and the direction is fast-paced, upbeat, and fun. The plot: an investigation into price-fixing. The movie's really high energy, which would be a lot of fun, but in an effort to make something dry exciting, Soderbergh just made it ridiculous. Also, the ending was far too drawn out, and the constant "But he gave... " (I won't spoil it) really really conflicted with the excitement Soderbergh was trying to inject. Ultimately all the talent (and everyone involved is quite talented) got squandered, which is really unfortunate.
Member Reviews
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Good yarn - Clarice_Starling
I was pleasantly surprised at what a good movie this was, the pace was good and Matt Damon was very believable as the pathological whistle blower. It's a sad commentary on what happens to people who don't feel they have enough, be it money, power, recognition.
The ...So Sad and Shocking it's Fun - MovieProf
It's hard to believe "The Informant" is based on a true story, but I did my research, and it turns out that that is indeed the case. Stephen Soderbergh's comedy is about the exploits of Mark Whitacre--a nobody who became famous due to his...how can I say ...Not firing on all cylinders, but still good. - DannyN16
There's a disconnect in this movie. The performances are solid, the quirkiness in the score is spectacular, and the direction is fast-paced, upbeat, and fun. The plot: an investigation into price-fixing. The movie's really high energy, which would be a lot ...