The Informant! Directed by: Steven Soderbergh Cast: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Melanie Lynskey, Joel McHale Running Time: 1 hr 48 mins Rating: R Release Date: September 18, 2009
Plot: Based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald and true events ... Mark Whitacre (Damon) chooses to side with the FBI in an investigation into agri-business (mainly corn) price fixing at ADM. Unfortunately Mark has a problem with keeping his truth straight.
Who’s It For? It's an adult comedy. The Hangover is also an adult comedy. These are two completely different things. The comedy is of the chuckle variety in The Informant! and there's a lot of it. And if you're willing to watch Damon in non-Bourne movies, then get in line.
Expectations: Damon is at the top of my list for "if I could only pick one guy's movies for the rest of my life including the ones he has already made." I used to think Edward Norton was the only answer. Soderbergh is hit (Ocean's) and miss (Full Frontal), but he's got style and takes more chances than most directors. In other words, I was looking forward to this movie.
SCORECARD (0-10)
Actors: Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre: Let's call it like it is, this is Fatt Damon. And he's good. The 30 pounds of extra weight is more Robert De Niro (on purpose) than Philip Seymour Hoffman (oops, I got big). The weight almost makes you miss the fake nose, but not the classic mustache. Fatt Damon completely embodies a Midwestern business man. Mark suffers from running of the mouth, both in his head (with a voiceover) and to anyone he encounters. As soon as he meets an FBI agent he wonders if he should call him "Bri" down the road when they're friends. This movie is definitely more about Damon's performance than anything else. He nails it. Score: 9
Scott Bakula as FBI Special Agent Brian Shepard: It's always good to see Bakula isn't it? That's the "Quantum Leap" fan in me (which I still think should be a movie series). Remember Lord of Illusions in 1995? It seems like since that movie didn't hit, Bakula didn't come a leading man on the big screen. Maybe these smaller roles are his ticket back to theaters. Shepard is subtle, but then again everyone is compared to Mark. And there's actually a little sadness to this role because I thought Shepard and Mark could be friends. Score: 7
Melanie Lynskey as Ginger Whitacre: Unaware in the best way possible. Normally this kind of role kills me, where the dutiful wife is oblivious to her husband's life ... not here. Lynskey is still able to hold on to a sweet innocence while going along for this uncomfortable ride. Score: 7
Joel McHale as FBI Special Agent Bob Herndon: Could we be looking at the most successful "Soup" host of all time? If so, this is the breakout year everyone will be talking about. What will probably get more buzz is McHale's upcoming TV show "Community." Here, just like Bakula he's subtle, especially compared to what he's capable of. Score: 6
Talking: Try to keep up ... Mark will go from toro to girl's panties in a matter of seconds. Most of the comedy comes from the voiceover. Just like my favorite scene (see below). Even the opening credits give you a nice twist. A full screen says this film is based on true events, but liberties have been taken. So it ends with, "So there." Score: 8
Sights: Damon's costume, and the setting are are simply correct. It's set in Decatur, Illinois and from the business offices to the corn fields you'll feel there. Plus there are cameos from the Smothers Brothers and Patton Oswalt. The result of the cameo isn't as good as seeing those familiar faces. Score: 7
Sounds: Marvin Hamlisch gives this film mixed results with his score. Sometimes spot on, sometimes too cooky. I wrote down the word overzealous when listening. Score: 6
PLOT SPOILERS
Best Scene: Polar bears. I love that Mark is easily distracted. As I've said, his voiceover is where most of the comedy lies. The reason this is my favorite is because I can easily see reciting the fact that polar bears cover their nose to hide. This will end with either two results ... 1. People will think I am smart. 2. They'll say that they also saw The Informant!. Either way, it's a win-win.
Ending: The millions just kept going up. This film suddenly becomes real, with actual consequences for Mark and the lies that he has told. The switch changes the vibe a little bit, but it needed the reality punch.
Questions: Too many curiosities abound with Mark and what was the truth and what was a lie. That's the fun. But I do have one question ... Mark's parents are alive. He tells people they are dead. He's been with Ginger since the 8th grade. Does she know about this lie and go along with it? If so, that changes the complexion of her character.
Rewatchability: Yes, if a group of friends wanted to, they could talk me in to a second viewing in the theater. It'd be a good brew and view flick.
OVERALL
Adult comedy normally means sex, drugs and lots of F-bombs. Not this time around. Sure, we might not bust a gut like Damon did getting ready for the role, but there should always be a smile on your face. There is a slight disconnect between Mark and his FBI agents. I couldn't get the sense if they admired the man or thought he was foolish. A combination of both is fine, but I needed one to win out. But what separates this film from greatness is ... the plot that's not really the point. Price fixing, and all the different explanations the film uses, never clicks. You never care. All you care about is watching Damon put on a show. Whether its his well-used voiceover or his mustache there's just so much to study and admire about this role.
Final Score: 8/10