The Informant! Directed by: Steven Soderbergh Cast: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey Running Time: 1 hr, 48 mins Rating: R Release Date: September 18, 2009
Plot: The story of conniving business man Mark Whitacre, a man whose many ulterior motives nearly bring down both his high-paying company, and the F.B.I. Though presented as a true story, the film insists there have been various entertainment-inducing liberties that were taken to present a more light-hearted depiction of the events that transpired from 1992 to 1996.
Who’s It For? Those who still aren't convinced Matt Damon has any relative range as an actor. Soderbergh has yet to include "spoof comedy" to his illustrious directorial career, and even the greats have muffed such opportunities up. This is a film you should see if you are curious about what happens when two popular Hollywood talents put their reputations on the line, and spread their wings a bit.
Expectations: This film has been getting a generous slew of promotion and praise in the weeks leading up to its release. This is usually the case when A-listers are attached in lead roles. However, I had little doubt Damon would disappoint.
SCORECARD (0-10)
Actors:
Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre: When Damon was cast to play Bond-meets-brawn spy Jason Bourne, many balked at the possibility he could deliver a believable leading man of intrigue. Wow, were they wrong. Here, Damon bats away doubters further, gaining a heap of weight, and wearing an unflattering wig to give us the hilariously clueless compulsive liar that is Mark Whitacre. When you're asked to portray a character few in the audience are already familiar with, you're certainly granted liberty to go all-in without a high level of risk. Damon obviously studied this guy, though. His grit, and attention to comedic detail are as impressive as they've ever been. For a guy who broke into the business scripting a tale about a boy-genius whose outlook on life was so dreary is needed a soundtrack laden with Elliott Smith songs, he certainly turns the tables on us with a performance few will soon forget. Score: 9
Scott Bakula as FBI Special Agent Brian Shepard: Fans of Quantum Leap unite! Bakula once again has a chance to flash his signature leathery-face grin in a substantial film role. Not since his shinning... er, acceptable performance in Necessary Roughness (you know you've seen it. Jason Bateman was in it. Ring any bells yet?) has Bakula been asked to provide a necessary ingredient to a major motion picture. as Shepard, the stakes are much higher, and Bakula is properly cast because we believe he represents an organization that likes to hire alpha-male-looking men to keep our country safe. There is a certain amount of humanity Bakula brings to this role you'll find surprising, and ultimately unbelievable. Still, the compassion we see Shepard begin to have for his Informant provides a nice ironic ingredient to such a messy tale of befuddling consequence. Score: 6
Joel McHale as FBI Special Agent Bob Herndon: Many will recognize as the face of NBC's new show Community, co-starring aging enigma Chevy Chase. Forget about TV, McHale. He belongs on the big screen. As Special Agent Shepard's right-hand man, McHale shines. His dead-pan approach lends an under-rated arsenal of comedic moments that helps the audience relate to how ridiculous this story really is. You don't ever truly believe Herndon believes a word Whitacre is saying, but trusts Shepard's instincts enough to go along with the investigation. You'll understand better once you see the film, but keep an eye on McHale. Once Community is inevitably cancelled, his agent should push for films only. Score: 8
Melanie Lynskey as Ginger Whitacre: You'll instantly think she's the high-talking chick from Will & Grace. Hold your horses, she's not (thank God). Lynskey is a comedic actress (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) who's cast perfectly as Mark's trusting wife. You're caught in a perpetual does-she-know-what-he's-really-up-to-or-doesn't-she situation, and Lynskey makes Ginger likable regardless of how upset you are with her by film's end. It's hard to develop empathy for a character you're sure is at least somewhat aware of her husband's deviant tendencies... right? Score: 6
Talking: Damon's voice-over moments are hilarious. This film isn't so much narrated as it's given intermittent moments where Mark Whitacre's subconscious comes to the forefront. This reveals a scatter-brained agri-business V.P. who thinks too much to actually get away with anything... right? The interactions between he and FBI agents Shepard and Herndon are priceless cinematic "did he just say that?" moments that will likely force you a few bursts of laughter. This is a film built on wildly unbelievable foundations, and the comedic structure is the glue that keeps the film from falling apart in its latter stages. (It does run about fifteen minutes too long, though). Score: 7
Sights: Rural Illinois. Is there anyplace like it? The backdrop is mundane enough to keep the story front and center as the main attraction. It's difficult to tell whether Whitacre's travels are actually taking place, or in his head, but Soderbergh's really great at playing with the mind of his audience in that way. Damon's oddly-shaped nose is fake (it's obvious, and perfect), hairpiece (which comes into play in small, are-you-kidding-me moments), and noticeable gait makes you have to respect his insistence to compromise his leading man features for his... art. Score: 6
Sounds: Marvin Hamlisch gives us a ebony-and-ivory soundtrack that fits nicely into the background. Great original soundtracks are spread across the board; some are terrible, others stick with you for days, months, years... This one is somewhere in the middle, but certainly on the "months, years..." end of the spectrum. Score: 7
PLOT SPOILERS
Best Scene: There is one scene in-particular where you are witness to Whitacre's need to tell the "truth." He, and FBI agents Shepard and Herndon are seated at a Thai (or is it Mexican?) restaurant and Whitacre's throwing out a few "hypotheticals." He's been instructed not to talk to them by his lawyers, and yet... he can't help himself. Watch McHale's reaction to what Damon reveals. Priceless like a MasterCard commercial.
Ending: True stories (if they're worth making a movie about) almost always end badly, but everybody learns something. This one doesn't necessarily end badly, but you're stuck scratching your head, vigorously trying to figure out if you were supposed to LEARN anything. It's obvious Whitacre has... or HAS he?
Questions: Will Damon get an Oscar nod for this? I'm siding with yes. You probably will too.
Rewatchability: You'll want it in your DVD/Blu-ray collection, and you'll likely place it up there between Office Space, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
OVERALL
This isn't the funniest film as the year. Nor will it wind up in any one's top five (top ten, fifteen ... maybe). This is, however, a very well presented movie about a man with two (or three, or four...) faces. The best part about Damon's performance is that he makes it so we're not sure whether he knows how much he's getting away with. You start the film believing him, then you start to question the sincerity of his whimsical brain-dumps. It's only confusing for about the first third of the film, and once you begin to catch on, the film can feel like it's running a bit too long. Luckily, there are enough comic moments to salvage its cadence, but even that gets a bit old right about the time it's all wrapped up. Damon's terrific. This performance will always stand out as one of his best, and if you still don't believe he's a superb actor, then go watch Jersey Girl, and "cry" along with Ben Affleck... in the dark.
Final Score: 7/10