Matt Damon reteams with Steven Soderbergh, the director of “Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13,” to play a rising star at his agriculture industry mega-corp who suddenly turns whistleblower. Critics are divided about their darkly comic take on this true criminal investigation. David Denby of The New Yorker states, “‘The Informant!’ is a return to form for Soderbergh, who couldn’t seem to put anything resembling an emotional charge into his recent films… This time, Soderbergh is in full control, and his star is on fire.” However, Robert Willonsky of The Village Voice doesn’t entirely agree: “Unlike the director’s usual organic efforts — in which great style never results in overstylized — ‘The Informant!’ feels over-amped from start to shrugging finish. The filmmakers have painted a 1990s story with a 1970s palette, and the tone clashes with the setting, like plaid on paisley.”
Todd McCarthy of Variety calls it “the wacky little brother of ‘Erin Brockovich,’” and I have to agree that this is the most intriguing, original and thought-provoking option of any of the films opening this weekend.
The Informant trailers and clips
Filed under: movies , The Informant
