The Informant!: Difference between revisions

| based_onproducer = {{Based[[Gregory on|''Jacobs]]<br />[[TheJennifer InformantFox (bookfilm producer)|TheJennifer InformantFox]]''|<br />[[Michael Jaffe]]<br />Howard Braunstein<br />Kurt Eichenwald}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Matt Damon]]<br
* />[[Scott Bakula]]<br
* />[[Joel McHale]]<br
* />[[Melanie Lynskey]]

| music = [[Marvin Hamlisch]]
| studio = [[Participant Media]] <br />Groundswell Productions <br />[[Section Eight Productions|Section Eight]]

| budget = $22 million<ref name="BOM" />

| gross = $41.8 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=informant.htm |title=The Informant! (2009) |publisherwebsite=[[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdatepublisher=IMDB |access-date=September 8, 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515005752/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=informant.htm |archivedatearchive-date=May 15, 2010 }}</ref>

'''''The Informant!''''' is a 2009 American [[Biographical film|biographical]]- [[crime film|crime comedy film]] directed by [[Steven Soderbergh]]. Written by [[Scott Z. Burns]], the film stars [[Matt Damon]] as the titular informant named [[Mark Whitacre]], as well as [[Scott Bakula]], [[Joel McHale]] and [[Melanie Lynskey]]. It depicts Whitacre's involvement as a [[whistle blower|whistleblower]] in the [[lysine price-fixing conspiracy]] of the mid-1990s, and his embezzlement of millions of dollars from his employer. The film is based on the 2000 [[nonfiction]] book ''[[The Informant (book)|The Informant]]'', by journalist [[Kurt Eichenwald]].<ref name="Webber">{{cite news |last=Webber |first=Susan |title=Tale of the Tapes |work=The Daily Deal |publisher=Aurora Advisors |date=25 September 2000 |url=http://www.auroraadvisors.com/articles/2000-09_dailydeal.html |accessdateaccess-date=2 October 2008 |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006125306/http://www.auroraadvisors.com/articles/2000-09_dailydeal.html |archivedatearchive-date=6 October 2008 }}</ref>

Released on September 18, 2009, ''The Informant!'' received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for Matt Damon's performance, andalthough the film's comedic yet ironic tone, although the latter has also been a point of criticism from other critics. The film was box office hit, grossing $22 million on a $41.8received millionmixed budgetreviews.

[[Mark Whitacre]], a rising star at the [[Archer Daniels Midland]] (ADM) office in [[Decatur, Illinois]], during the early 1990s, blows the whistle on the company’s price-fixing tactics at the urging of his wife Ginger.<ref name="Cain-behind">{{cite news |last=Cain |first=Tim |title=Behind the inside man: Mark Whitacre, talks about 'The Informant,' his time in prison and moving forward |work=[[Herald & Review]] |date=6 April 2008 |url=http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/04/06/news/local/1031549.txt |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615000939/http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/04/06/news/local/1031549.txt |archivedatearchive-date=15 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="Cain-hobnobbing">{{cite news |last=Cain |first=Tim |title=Don't expect "Informant" hobnobbing |work=[[Herald & Review]] |date=19 March 2008 |url=http://herald-review.com/articles/2008/03/19/columnists/cain/1030816.txt |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711235333/http://herald-review.com/articles/2008/03/19/columnists/cain/1030816.txt |archivedatearchive-date=11 July 2009 }}</ref>

One night in November 1992, Whitacre confesses to [[FBI]] special agent Brian Shepard that ADM executives&mdash;includingexecutives—including Whitacre himself&mdash;hadhimself—had routinely met with competitors to fix the price of [[lysine]], an additive used in the commercial livestock industry. Whitacre secretly gathers hundreds of hours of video and audio over several years to present to the FBI.<ref name="Cain-behind"/><ref name="Muirhead">{{cite news |last=Muirhead |first=Sarah |title=Whitacre paid ultimate price |work=Feedstuffs |publisher=[[Informa]] |date=2 June 2008|pages=[http://fdsmagissues.feedstuffs.com/fds/PastIssues/FDS8022/fds01_8022.pdf 1], [http://fdsmagissues.feedstuffs.com/fds/PastIssues/FDS8022/fds42_8022.pdf 42], [http://fdsmagissues.feedstuffs.com/fds/PastIssues/FDS8022/fds43_8022.pdf 43]}}</ref><ref name="Sidhu">{{cite interview |last=Sidhu |first=Roopam |title=Fresno company connected to Matt Damon movie |publisher=CBS TV 47 Fresno |date=23 July 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7c-e_9thlk |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626061830/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7c-e_9thlk |archivedatearchive-date=26 June 2014 }}</ref> He assists in gathering evidence by clandestinely taping the company’s activity in business meetings at various locations around the globe such as [[Tokyo]], [[Paris]], [[Mexico City]], and [[Hong Kong]], eventually collecting enough evidence of collaboration and [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]] to warrant a raid of ADM.

Whitacre’s good deed dovetails with his own major infractions, while his internal, secret struggle with [[bipolar disorder]] seems to take over his exploits.<ref name="Cain-behind"/><ref name="Staff">{{cite news |author=Editorial staff |title=What is "The Informant" about? |work=[[The Patriot Ledger]] |publisher=[[GateHouse Media]] |date=16 May 2008 |url=http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x1902439227/Basis-of-movie |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204103051/http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x1902439227/Basis-of-movie |archivedatearchive-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> The bulk of the film focuses on Whitacre's meltdown resultingresults from the pressures of wearing a wire and organizing surveillance for the FBI for three years, instigated by Whitacre's reaction, in increasingly manic overlays, to various trivial magazine articles he reads. In a stunning turn of events immediately following the covert portion of the case, headlines around the world report Whitacre had embezzled $9 million from his own company during the same period of time he was secretly working with the FBI and taping his co-workers, while simultaneously aiming to be elected as ADM CEO following the arrest and conviction of the remaining upper management members.<ref name="Cain-behind"/> In the ensuing chaos, Whitacre appears to shift his trust and randomly destabilize his relationships with Special Agents Shepard and Herndon and numerous attorneys in the process.

* [[ScottJoel BakulaMcHale]] as FBI Special Agent BrianRobert ShepardHerndon

* [[MelanieAnn LynskeyCusack]] as GingerRobin WhitacreMann

* [[Ann CusackDowd]] as RobinFBI Special Agent Kate MannMedford

* [[Thomas F.Tom WilsonPapa]] as MarkMick ChevironAndreas

* [[TomRick PapaOverton]] as MickTerry AndreasWilson

* [[RickAllan OvertonHavey]] as TerryFBI Supervisor Dean WilsonPaisley

* [[AllanPatton HaveyOswalt]] as FBI Supervisor DeanEd PaisleyHerbst

* [[PattonCraig Ricci OswaltShaynak]] as EdDiscouraged HerbstForeman

* [[Craig RicciScott ShaynakAdsit]] as DiscouragedSid ForemanHulse

* [[ScottEddie AdsitJemison]] as SidKirk HulseSchmidt

* [[EddieClancy JemisonBrown]] as KirkAubrey Daniel, ADM Schmidtattorney

* [[ClancyArden BrownMyrin]] as Aubrey Daniel, ADMSarah attorneyScott

* [[TonyAndy HaleDaly]] as JamesMarty EpsteinAllison, Whitacre'sADM attorneyvice-president

* [[FrankCandy WelkerClark]] as MrMrs. Whitacre

* [[CandyDick ClarkSmothers]] as Mrs.Judge Harold WhitacreBaker

* [[DickTom Smothers]] as Judge[[Dwayne Harold BakerAndreas]]

* [[TomRichard SmothersSteven Horvitz]] as [[DwayneBob Andreas]]Zaiderman

Production began in May 2008 in [[Decatur, Illinois]]. Filming was also done at the former Whitacre mansion in [[Moweaqua, Illinois]], a small town about 25 miles from Decatur, and at Illini Country Club in [[Springfield, Illinois]]. Some exterior shots were done in Mesa, Arizona, in November 2008. Other portions of the film were shot in the [[Coachella Valley]], California.<ref name=Filming>{{cite web |title=Coachella Valley Feature Film Production 1920–2011 |url=http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/page/filming-in-palm-springs/126939 |work=Filming in Palm Springs |accessdateaccess-date=October 1, 2012 |author=Palm Springs Visitors Center |location=Palm Springs, CA |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001025937/http://visitpalmsprings.com/page/filming-in-palm-springs/126939 |archivedatearchive-date=October 1, 2012 }}</ref> The film was released on September 18, 2009. Damon gained 20–30 pounds for the role in order to look more like Whitacre.

The film opened at #2 behind ''[[Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (film)|Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs]]'' with $10,545,000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2009&wknd=38&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results from September 18–21, 2009 | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdateaccess-date=20 September 2009 | url-status=live | archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923201534/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2009&wknd=38&p=.htm | archivedatearchive-date=23 September 2009 }}</ref> As of December 17, 2009, the film had grossed $33,316,821 domestically and $41,771,168 worldwide.<ref name="BOM"/>

In the [[United Kingdom]], the film opened at #10 with [[£]]179,612 from the opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a188394/new-moon-storms-uk-box-office.html |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Nat Mags|Hearst Magazines]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228015423/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a188394/new-moon-storms-uk-box-office.html |archivedatearchive-date=28 December 2009 |title='New Moon' storms UK box office |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=24 November 2009 }}</ref> It was the third highest new entry after ''[[A Serious Man]]'' and ''[[The Twilight Saga: New Moon]]''.

[[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported a 79% approval rating, based on 230 reviews with an average score of 6.8/10. The site's critics consensus states: "A charismatic turn by star Matt Damon and a consistently ironic tone boost this quietly funny satire about a corporate whistle-blower."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1200661-informant/ |title=The Informant! (2009) |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428042600/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1200661-informant |archivedatearchive-date=28 April 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> Another review aggregator,On [[Metacritic]], whichit assignshas a weighted average rating, reported a score of 66 out of 100 based on reviews from 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/informant | title=Informant!, The (2009): Reviews | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[Metacritic]] | access-date=25 September 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914041746/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/informant | archive-date=14 September 2009 }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "C−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |date=2009-09-20 |title=Sunny No. 1 For Family Film 'Meatballs'; Foul Weekend For Hollywood Stars' Flops |url=https://deadline.com/2009/09/sunny-no-1-for-family-film-meatballs-foul-friday-for-big-star-flops-16244/ |website=Deadline |access-date=2020-09-09 }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] awarded the film 4 starsfour out of 4four stars, claiming "''The Informant!'' is fascinating in the way it reveals two levels of events, not always visible to each other or to the audience."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-informant-2009 | title=The Informant! | publisher=Ebert Digital LLC | work=RogerEbert.com | accessdateaccess-date=10 April 2018 | date=17 September 2009 |author=Roger Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert | url-status=live | archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922184257/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090916%2FREVIEWS%2F909169998 | archivedatearchive-date=22 September 2009 }}</ref>

While giving the film the grade of a B, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' noted that "Soderbergh has chosen to apply an attitude of arch whoopee, a greasy veneer of mirth over what is, no joke, a serious mess of malfeasance and mental instability," concluding, "Soderbergh ultimately made the choice to abandon interesting, dispassionate empathy for the more quick-fix payoff of amusement."<ref>{{cite webmagazine |url=http://ew.com/article/2009/09/16/informant-2/ |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |author-link=Lisa Schwarzbaum |date=9 October 2009 |title=The Informant! |workmagazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |accessdateaccess-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

[[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars, and, in response to critics of the film's comic tone, Peter Travers commented, "Laugh you will at ''The Informant!,'' but it's way too real to laugh off."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=17 September 2009 |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |title=The Informant! |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-informant-2-255633/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref><ref>Travers, Peter" (October 1, 2009), "Shhh! Top Secret". ''Rolling Stone.''. (1088):83</ref> Leah Rozen of ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine also assignedgave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars, saying, "[Damon]'s a hoot, and so is the movie."<ref>{{cite web |last=Rozen |first=Leah |date=28 September 2009 |title=Picks and Pans Main: Movies |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-main-movies-vol-72-no-13/ |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref>

[[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' also praised Damon's performance, calling his interpretation of Whitacre, "The wacky little brother of [[Erin Brockovich]]" (whose life was also adapted by Soderbergh into [[Erin Brockovich (film)|a film]]).<ref name="McCarthy">{{cite web |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |title=''The Informant!'' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]] |date=7 September 2009|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/the-informant-3-1200476400/ |accessdateaccess-date=10 April 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912060951/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940960.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |archivedatearchive-date=12 September 2009 }}</ref>

The film received nominations for multiple awards, including a [[Satellite Award]] for [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture#Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (1996–2010)|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]] for Matt Damon<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2009 |author=&nbsp;Paul Gaita |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/11/2009-satellite-awards-nominees-offbeat-or-oscar-predictor.html |title=2009 Satellite Awards nominees: Off-beat or Oscar predictor? &#124; The Circuit: Awards and Festivals News |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=30 November 2009 |accessdate=8 September 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204135307/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/11/2009-satellite-awards-nominees-offbeat-or-oscar-predictor.html |archivedatearchive-date=4 December 2009 }}</ref> as well as a nomination from the [[Detroit Film Critics Society]].<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Serba |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/12/up_in_the_air_inglourious_bast.html |title='Up in the Air,' 'Inglourious Basterds' lead Detroit Film Critics Society award nominees |work=MLive |publisher=[[Booth Newspapers]] |date=13 September 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=8 September 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215165555/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/12/up_in_the_air_inglourious_bast.html |archivedatearchive-date=2009-12-15 }}</ref> Damon was also nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]].<ref>{{cite web |date=26 July 2010 |title=HFPA – Nominations and Winners |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2009/ |title=HFPA – Nominations and Winners |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |work=[[Golden Globe Awards]]s |date=26 July 2010 |accessdate=8 September 2010 |url-status=livedead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311184059/http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2009/ |archivedatearchive-date=11 March 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010 |work=[[Golden Globe Awards]] |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]]}}</ref>

* [[Lysine price-fixing conspiracy]]

{{reflist|30emReflist}}

* {{Official website|https://www.warnerbros.com/informant}}

* {{IMDb title|1130080|The Informant!}}

* {{AllmovieAllMovie title|447301|The Informant!}}

* {{Mojo title|informant|The Informant!}}

[[Category:American2009 films]]

[[Category:2000s2009 crime comedy-drama films]]

[[Category:American crime comedy-drama films]]

[[Category:English-languageCrime comedy films based on actual events]]

[[Category:Films shotwith inscreenplays Franceby Scott Z. Burns]]

[[Category:CrimeFilms filmsshot basedin on actual eventsSwitzerland]]

[[Category:Archer2000s DanielsEnglish-language Midlandfilms]]

[[Category:Participant2000s MediaAmerican films]]

[[Category:FilmsEnglish-language producedcrime bycomedy Gregory Jacobsfilms]]