The Informant!
The Informant!

The Informant!

2009Movie108 minEnglish

A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark 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.

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Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes70%
Metacritic60
Google Users76%
Director: Steven SoderberghGenres: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

Mark Whitacre, a high-ranking executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), becomes an informant for the FBI to expose a global price-fixing conspiracy. However, his dual life as a whistleblower and a perpetrator of corporate fraud leads to a complex and often darkly humorous unraveling of his schemes. As the investigation deepens, Whitacre's increasingly elaborate lies threaten to consume him and everyone around him.

Critical Reception

The Informant! received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Matt Damon's performance and Steven Soderbergh's distinctive directorial style. While some found the film's tone uneven, blending dark comedy with serious subject matter, many appreciated its unique approach to the true-crime genre and its commentary on corporate greed.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Matt Damon's charismatic and nuanced performance as the unreliable narrator.
  • Steven Soderbergh's unconventional direction and blend of dark humor were often highlighted.
  • Some critics found the film's tonal shifts and rambling narrative to be divisive.

Google audience: Audiences generally found 'The Informant!' to be an entertaining and witty film, appreciating Matt Damon's central performance and the darkly comedic aspects of the story. Some viewers felt the plot was a bit convoluted, but most were engaged by the bizarre true story and Soderbergh's unique filmmaking.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the true story of Mark Whitacre, who was indeed an executive at ADM and became a cooperating witness for the FBI, but the extent and nature of his own fraud were significantly downplayed in the movie.

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