White-collar crime inflicts far greater damage on society than serial killers and drug dealers combined. Yet, this phenomenon is either ignored or mishandled both by law enforcement and Hollywood. A prime example of this phenomenon is Steven Soderbergh's 2009 black comedy The Informant!, which, despite its high-profile talent and intriguing premise, ultimately fails to deliver a compelling critique of the corporate world.
The Informant! is adapted from Kurt Eichenwald's 2000 book, which chronicles a significant yet underreported corporate scandal from the 1990s involving Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a major player in the food processing industry. The film centres on Marc Whitacre, portrayed by Matt Damon, who serves as a high-ranking executive at ADM. Although Whitacre's career appears to be flourishing, he grapples with troubling revelations about his company's unethical practices. In a bid to expose ADM's illegal price-fixing of lysine—a crucial additive for the livestock industry—Whitacre contacts the FBI and agrees to act as an undercover informant. As the investigation unfolds, the FBI team, led by Special Agent Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula), becomes increasingly perplexed by Whitacre's erratic behaviour, which threatens their operation. The film takes a surprising turn as it reveals the depths of Whitacre's deception and instability.
The film boasts an impressive pedigree: directed by Soderbergh, one of modern American cinema's most versatile filmmakers, and featuring Matt Damon at the height of his stardom following his success in the Bourne series. Damon’s portrayal of Whitacre—a middle-aged-looking overeweight man who is both physically and psychologically deteriorating—was seen as an opportunity for him to showcase his range in a low-budget film that could garner critical acclaim. However, while Damon's performance is commendable, it ultimately cannot compensate for the film's shortcomings.
The timing of The Informant!'s release also seemed fortuitous; following the catastrophic Wall Street crash of 2008, public sentiment was ripe for a critique of corporate America. Audiences were increasingly sceptical of corporate practices and appeared more receptive to stories that exposed corporate wrongdoing. Hollywood appeared poised to exploit this discontent, yet The Informant! failed to capitalise on this opportunity effectively.
One significant reason for the film's lacklustre box office performance lies in its adaptation of Eichenwald's book. Readers familiar with the book may find it far more engaging and entertaining than its cinematic counterpart. While Eichenwald explains the intricate details of corporate corruption and the psychological complexities of Whitacre, Soderbergh’s adaptation opts for a more superficial approach.
The film grapples with complex concepts such as price fixing—an issue that may require further explanation for the average viewer. While Adam McKay successfully tackled similar themes in The Big Short through an engaging and humorous lens, Soderbergh appears to abandon any attempt at exploring the darker aspects of corporate America. Instead, he focuses almost exclusively on Whitacre’s troubled psyche. This decision limits the film’s scope and depth; while some moments are amusing due to Whitacre’s bizarre antics, they do not coalesce into a cohesive comedic narrative. The voiceover narration intended to convey Whitacre’s mental state often comes across as tedious rather than insightful.
Ultimately, The Informant! represents a frustrating compromise between commercial comedy and what seems like an earnest attempt at creating an Oscar-worthy art film. Its lack of a conventional happy ending may leave audiences feeling disillusioned—particularly those still grappling with the repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis. The Informant! can only be recommended to die-hard fans of Soderbergh and Damon who are willing to overlook its many flaws in favour of their admiration for these talented individuals.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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