Whistleblowers usually get the short end of the stick, right? So why does Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) think that he will fare any better? Perhaps it is just his faith that the truth is enough to protect him from harm. Then again, maybe something else is in play as he willingly cooperates with the FBI on an international price fixing conspiracy case involving his employer, agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland.

As an informant, Whitacre comes across as an agent’s dream, bright, willing to assist and in a position to gather important information for the impending case against his employer ADM. In fact, Whitacre really gets into the assignment with great gusto, wearing a wire and secretly filming company meetings with overseas executives. All along, we believe that he possesses an unwavering moral commitment to do what is right. When the complete story starts to unravel, each layer of Whitacre’s personal agenda takes on a new twist. Like the FBI agents, we are astounded at every turn. Our Mr. Whitacre is certainly not the guy we thought he was.

Based on a true story The Informant!, tells the convoluted tale of the highest-ranking government snitch on record who just happens to have has an agenda all his own. Billed as a “comedy-thriller,” neither comes to fruition. Director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies and Videotape) gives us a taste of each genre, but never a full serving of either. Matt Damon is excellent as the quirky, brilliant biochemist Mr. Whitacre.

IMDB