MOVIE REVIEW - The Informant!

Matt Damon stars in the new comedy-drama The Informant!, new this weekend at the box office. This movie is based on a true story form the early 1990's. And because of the story's absolute absurdity, it must be true. You can't write them this crazy.

Meet mark Whitacre (Damon). He is a young executive working in Indiana at the huge food conglomerate ADM. He is a Vice-President, making 350 grand a year. He is married to a seemingly nice woman, with kids too. He seems to have it all. But in essence, he has nothing. He is a "crazy liar." From the movies outset, you can see Marc is not quite right mentally, but you think he's just kind of quirky. But it's much deeper than that.

He sets out on a string of lies to his employer, his family, his past, and even the highest levels of the FBI. All from price fixing, to tax fraud, embezzlement, where he came from, and who his parents are. He becomes and "Informant" for the FBI in an attempt to bring down ADM because of a supposed price fixing scheme. Trouble is, no on can figure out why he wants to do it in the first place. Plus, Marc believes after he brings down the giant, HE'LL be made the companies CEO. He turns out to be the worst informant of all time, and eventually the worst client and attorney ever had as well. I understand this may not sound like a laugh-a-minute movie, and it's not. BUT this is a very entertaining story that will pull you in, and keep you wondering, what is this clown going to do next?

The strength of this movie is the fact that they keep you wondering the whole time why he is the way he is. Damon is strong in this really big role. Supporting cast is fine, but this is one of those movies where the star of the movie is, the story. It is a story you don't know, and have never seen before. There is a great mix of drama, and some real dark comedy that has everyone on screen and in the theaters shaking their heads over this guys idiocy. The Informant! is a thinking mans movie. The story movies quickly, and doesn't take a lot of time to explain where it's going next. You have to keep up with it, so plan your breaks out before the movie.

The Informant!, is fun, smart, and borderline unbelievable at times. But it works. A real nice mix of smart story telling, witty dialogue, a very strange and eclectic music track, and solid performances by well cast actors. Great night at the movies.