The Informant

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Mark Whitacre has worked for lysine developing company ADM for many years and has even found his way into upper management. But nothing has prepared him for the job he is about to undertake - being a spy for the FBI. Unwillingly pressured into working as an informant against the illegal price-fixing activities of his company, Whitacre gradually adopts the idea that he’s a true secret agent. But as his incessant lies keep piling up, his world begins crashing down around him.

This film was submitted to The Times 53^rd London Film Festival. For a detailed look at our adventures at the festival please click here.

I am sure that the book this film is based on must be very very good, and in the two hours it folds out, it just lacks a bit of flare. With the ability to almost be able to compare it to Catch me if you Can this film is a great storey without always putting you completely in the picture of what exactly went on. For example there is a great running joke with regards to how much money was actually involved in this twists and turns of the film.

Those who watched Matt Damon reinvent himself in The Bourne Trilogy and grow under the wings of Pitt and Clooney in the Oceans Trilogy will ultimately be disappointed; with this performance, it truly does play into the hands of the creators of Team America – Matt Damon.

The other cast members struggle to really do justice as well, no one stands out to take it forward. The chap from Quantum Leap would probably like the time machine now more then ever to take him back to a time before he signed on (maybe even to before he joined enterprise). I honestly expected more from Steven Sodersberg who has become a lynch pin in cinematic excellence over the last few years.

If I don’t like a film I often say wait for the DVD and a rainy day. However, you should take my advice when I say that, this you should wait for one of those hot summer nights where you can not sleep and find it around 11.15 on BBC1, it should be on in about a year to 18 months.