Played straight, “The Informant” would have been a routine and rather dull corporate crime drama. It probably would have come and gone from public consciousness without much of a trace. As it stands, however, it reigns as one of the quirkiest and most unique films of 2009.
Based on actual events, Matt Damon plays an average executive employee at a food additive company in the early 1990′s. He gets involved with the FBI as they investigate the company for price-fixing. The film travels the entire length of the investigation and its many twists and turns along the way. I cannot detail too many of the plot threads without giving away important information that may affect the way you view the film. Suffice it to say that appearances may not be what they seem.
The brilliance that elevates this film from standard courtroom fare is the decision of the screenplay to allow us access to the lead character’s stream of consciousness. We get to hear his thoughts, mundane, profound, ludicrous, desperate. It reminded me a lot of Christian Bale’s character in “American Psycho” — only far more lighthearted and random. Another thing that lightens the mood is the choice of music in the film. It sounds like a 1970′s British “Carry On” flick.
The writing is superb. The story is compelling. The central character is oddly likable. What’s not to like. Director, Steven Soderbergh manages to craft something out of nothing here. In other hands, I believe “The Informant” would have been a blip on the cinematic radar. Instead, we have one of the most memorable efforts of the year.
