THE INFORMANT!

Well, naturally, no week of picks could be complete without a good old “true story”. And this week’s true story is the rather unbelievable tale of Mark Whitacre – corporate informant and conman extraordinaire. Well, sort of…
What seems to be a pretty routine security issue in the big food corporation ADM turns into a career-making sting for the FBI agents involved when they cross paths with Mark Whitacre. Mark Whitacre is a decent man, he is one of the youngest department heads in the company history and he can take it no longer : The company is part of a massive price-fixing scam. The scam spans pretty much the entire world and a vast range of products – well, technically every single item the corporation is producing. The agents are intrigued but cautious : they demand solid proof. To their surprise Whitacre participates in the inquiry with almost as much vehemence as the agents themselves. He wears a wire, makes tapes and when all that does not yield the information needed even maneuvers a secret camera. When the FBI closes in the “sting” is MASSIVE. All the company’s records and paperwork come under the scrutiny of the FBI. The price fixing is most definitely there… However, so are a few other things Mr Whitacre “forgot” to mention…
Well my first comment is, the story is definitely true (and documented I hasten to add) and truly fascinating. It is fascinating to the point where you may well feel the need to give yourself a pinch and remind yourself it actually is real. It is, I must say a tad hard to follow in bits but nothing a simple rewind (or pausing, turning to whoever was watching with you and asking “what was that?”) won’t solve. Another point I MUST mention is Matt Damon, who plays Mark Whitacre. Now, the problem with actors like Damon is that it is very easy to slip into thinking they’re merely a pretty face. Mr Damon’s face is anything but pretty in this particular case (no offence whatever to Mr Whitacre but very few of us have looks to match Hollywood actors – I most certainly don’t!) . But since his looks are “removed” from the equation, his considerable talent shines through. He is absolutely HILARIOUS to watch and coupled with the talented Mr Steven Soderbergh as a director the film is in a word “made”.
This fast-paced and intelligent dark-ish comedy is a brilliant and original choice for your evening’s entertainment – despite its mainstream pedigree. I mean, I loved it despite my high expectations for it – and despite the fact that I knew part of “the plot”. Between you and me folks, I think we may be looking at a modern classic folks – watch this space!