THE INFORMANT! Movie Review
September 20, 2009 by Eric
Filed under Movie Reviews
Yesterday, I had an opportunity to watch the new Matt Damon movie The Informant and I want to share my review of the movie.
The Informant is a true story of one highest ranking corporate whistleblower in US history, Mark Whitacre (played by Matt Damon) who out of the blue reached out to the FBI to reveal one of the biggest price fixing scandal that has ever faced the country.
The scandal concerns the biggest manufacturers of the key ingredients in food who are colluding to decide the price of their products therefore insuring fat profits for themselves. However what starts out as a story of David trying to bring down a Goliath quickly turns into a story of a David trying to steal money from Goliath while taking down Goliath. Oh and David is also a big fat liar.
The criminal part of the story is wildly entertaining if you happen to be into corporate intrigue and have a strong grasp of the economic system. However, if you are like the friend who watched the movie with me, you will find your eyes glazing as the discussions of production levels and prices are pretty prevalent in the movie. Plus the scam perpetrated by Mark Whitacre to extort money from his employer is slightly complicated to understand if you don't really follow the world of finance. Basically, it was too complicated for the average movie watcher and could have been more dumbed down in my opinion.
The part of the story that was far more interesting and more accessible to all was the part where we see Mark Whitacre lying to everyone and I mean everyone. No one is safe from his lying, not even himself as he starts to believe his own BS. Throughout the movie, there is just this weird feeling that we have as we watch the character weave this tale of deception. At times, we feel bad for him as we really think that he is simply delusional and at other times, you just cannot believe how unbelievably stupid he is. It's like watching Michael from 'The Office' for almost 2 hours straight. It's sometimes funny but mostly it's just cringe-worthy.
Did I like The Informant? Yes, I loved it. Mostly because I am into corporate/finance/business intrigue stories where the characters are flawed (in this case, really flawed). However, I think that it is definitely not for everyone, especially if you are not into corporate/finance/business intrigue stories where the characters are flawed (OK, I am really repeating myself but you try naming that genre in three words or less).
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Title: The Informant
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producer: George Clooney, Jeff Skoll, Michael London
Cast: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey, Thomas F. Wilson
Synopsis: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.
Watch the The Informant trailer.
New Movies In Theaters This Friday, September 18, 2009
Wondering what movies are coming out to theaters this Friday, September 18, 2009? Here is a list with my intentions to watch at the movies, rent, watch on TV, or skip all together.
DEFINITELY WATCH AT THE MOVIES
The Informant!
Matt Damon starring and Steven Soderbergh directing, of course I'm going to check it out.
What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.
THE INFORMANT Movie Pictures with Matt Damon
Check out some pictures from THE INFORMANT starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, and directed by Steven Soderbergh.
The Informant Synopsis: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.
Anything pairing Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh, I have to check out.
The Informant will be released to theaters on September 18, 2009. Make sure to check out the trailer as well.
THE INFORMANT Picture with Scott Bakula, Joel McHale & Matt Damon
Check out a new picture from THE INFORMANT with Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Matt Damon that MTV released along with plenty of other pictures for their Fall Movie Preview 2009.
The Informant puts three actors that I really like together, so I'm pretty much sold. Although I was already sold after watching the trailer.
The Informant will be released to theaters on September 18, 2009.
THE INFORMANT! Movie Posters with Matt Damon
Check out a couple of poster for THE INFORMANT! starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh.
I posted the trailer not too long ago and I think the posters definitely capture the tone that the movie seems to have. They're pretty fun!
The Informant! will be released to theaters on September 18, 2009. Check out another poster below.
The Informant Synopsis: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.
THE INFORMANT Movie Trailer with Matt Damon
Check out the trailer for THE INFORMANT starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, and directed by Steven Soderbergh.
It looks like Steven Soderbergh has created another great movie. The trailer for The Informant looks really good and I love Matt Damon as the not-so-smart informant. Can't wait to see it.
The Informant will be released to theaters on September 18, 2009. Watch the trailer below.
The Informant Synopsis: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.
Must See Movies of 2009: SEPTEMBER
Daemon's Movies had prepared a comprehensive list of Must See Movies of 2009.
In order to provide complete and clear coverage of movies to see in 2009, we will have a specific list of must see movies for each month of 2009.
We will of course update our complete list with any movies that spike up our interest as we go along.
You can check out our complete list of Must See Movies of 2009, which will include every month of 2009.
Welcome to the Must See Movies of 2009: SEPTEMBER!
Must See Movies of 2009: The Complete List
October 3, 2008 by Sandie
Filed under Featured, Movie Reviews, News
Here is the complete list to the Must See Movies of 2009.
Movies will be added throughout the year, so make sure to check back.
If you click on a particular month, it will take you to the list of must see movies for that month.
If you click on the name of a movie, it will take you to all our coverage for that film.
January 23, 2009
Movie Synopsis: A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook's hero.
Watch the Inkheart Movie Trailer
