The Informant! (R, 2009)

common sense media says

Playful tale of corporate misdeeds may interest some teens.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this engaging Steven Soderbergh comedy received an R rating principally for language. The actual subject matter -- corporate misdeeds -- may only appeal to teens, however, because it stars Matt Damon. The movie is based on a true story and sends some mixed messages about corporate ethics; ethical breaches are treated somewhat lightly, which may make the crimes seem less serious. And the main character isn't exactly a role model himself. That said, teens old enough to understand the movie's tone won't miss the message about the importance of questioning greed and its place in today's society. While there's little sex or violence, you can expect some drinking and plenty of cursing (including "f--k," "s--t," and more), plus frank, sometimes complicated discussions about certain criminal activities.

Positive messages: The main character says he wants to expose a huge corporate scandal because he believes it's wrong, but it soon it becomes clear that he has less pure motives for coming forward. The film is based on a true story about an investigation into
price-fixing by massive conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland.
Positive role models: Mark is an unreliable narrator who may not always be telling the whole truth. His motives for becoming an informant are questionable, and his stories usually paint him as either a hero or victim but never show him doing anything wrong.
Violence: Some intense arguments.
Sex: One man crudely discusses a former co-worker and how attractive she was.
Language: Plenty of swearing, including many uses of "f--k" (some with "mother"), “s--t,” "t-ts," "goddamn," “a--hole,” "damn," "hell," and more.
Consumerism: Brands mentioned or seen include luxury cars (like Porsche and Ferrari), EconoLodge, and Anheuser Busch.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some adult characters drink -- both socially and at times of crisis.

More on The Informant!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why Mark reveals what he does. Are his true motives clear? Is he ultimately a hero or a villain?

     

  • Why do companies, particiularly large ones, seem unable to prevent breaches in ethics? Is there a general culture of greed that encourages unlawful behavior?

     

  • The movie is based on a true story. Do you think filmmakers changed any of the key facts for the movie? Why would they do that? How could you find out?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In 1992, Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) -- a high-level executive at the Arthur Daniels Midland Foundation -- became one of the biggest whistle-blowers in U.S. history when he informed the FBI that the Fortune 500 firm had been involved in an international price-fixing agreement among producers of food additives. Whitacre subsequently agreed to record meetings to help the government build its case, but little did the feds know that the whole story -- the true story -- was far more complicated than they could ever have imagined.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Based on a true story, THE INFORMANT! is never what it seems. It reads espionage but winds up a farce. It looks dated, but with all the corporate intrigues in recent headlines, it feels au courant. And there's Whitacre, portrayed sympathetically by Damon, whose performance borders on caricature but doesn't cross the line. From the moment we hear him speak through voiceovers that reveal his musings -- which ping-pong from his favorite German word ("kugelschreiber") to the texture of avocado to his ambitions at ADM -- we sense that something's not quite right. But is it his company? The government? Or Mark himself?

Director Steven Soderbergh balances comedy and intrigue masterfully. Had he opted for a straightforward retelling, The Informant! could easily have veered into tedium. But this treatment feels just right. After all, Whitacre isn't your average whistle-blower: He's bumbling, indiscreet, and grandiose (at least in this take on his story). Soderbergh includes the audience while simultaneously leaving them befuddled, part of the same perplexing ride that nearly everyone else Whitacre encounters is on. The score (by Marvin Hamlisch), the set design -- it's all right on target, down to the cutesy exclamation point in the title.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Joel McHale, Matt Damon, Scott Bakula
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: September 18, 2009
DVD release: February 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language
Watch our review

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Informant!





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

13
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

docpainter
parent of 14 year old
 
My 13 yo son and I both enjoyed it. Hard to follow in spots but intriguing and thought provoking. Definitely promotes message that lying doesn't pay. The extent of Matt Damon's character's mental illness was underplayed compared to the real life story on which it is based.

JWilliams303
teen, 17 years old
 
Me and my mom just saw it today and it we thought it was a pretty ok movie. Its not ur usual crude comedy movie, it has a lot of smart humor that u have to get in the movie. i got some of the smart jokes in the movie but mostly i was confused on what they were talking about. All u have to worry about in the movie is some of the cussing that is in it. I say its pretty good for teens 14+

Cyonnara
teen, 17 years old
 
Its alright for tweens but they wont enjoy as much as adults
I really hated it actually, I was expecting to come and see a funny movie but all I got was a miserably boring movie which put me to sleep twice.

T-BYRD
teen, 17 years old
 

 
goog movie to see, not bad for teens
I too was very suprised that this movie was rated R. It should of been PG-13.Matt Damon did a great job acting, I can't believe it was really him!

dwiggit101
teen, 16 years old
 
Kind of confusing at times, but still AWESOME!
This movie was really good. It is quite confusing at some parts in it, but you soon figure out everything that's going on. It's quite strange, but it's very entertaining! They say the F-word about 10 times. I would recommend this movie to mature teens and adults.

theshadowcom
kid, 12 years old
 
A little boring but very good
should be PG-13. laguge is not as bad as eagle eye

moviemom4
parent of 13 year old
 
the perfect comedy
This is not an average dumb comedy. This is not similar to one of those dumb Adam Sandler movies. This is an smart, well written, and amazingly acted movie that should be watched by anybody who is tired of these crude comedies coming out year after year. I was kind of surprised that this was given an R becuase I have seen many pg-13 movies that are alot worse than this. See this movie now!

ManuelC
adult
 
The Informant!
The movie The informant! is a good movie for all ages however, it might not appeal to the younger ones but most likely it will entertain its viewers. The film has thus far gotten positive critic reviews, which ought to be pleasing for the cast and the director. This is the fourth time Damon has worked with Steven Soderbergh, who also directed the Ocean's series. The film is a dark, somewhat satirical comedy about a food company executive that turns whistleblower, and brings down the company exposing their price fixing conspiracies. It looks as though neither Damon nor Soderbergh will need quick payday loans to get good reviews for The Informant!

 
an enjoyable witty odd comedy.
A rising star in the agricultural industry suddenly turns whistleblower in hopes of gaining a lucrative promotion and becoming a hero of the common people, inadvertently revealing his penchant for helping himself to the corporate coffers and ultimately threatening to derail the very investigation he helped to launch in this offbeat comedy from Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) was fast rising through the ranks at agri-industry powerhouse Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) when he became savvy to the company's multinational price-fixing conspiracy, and decided to turn evidence for the FBI. Convinced that he'll be hailed as a hero of the people for his efforts, Whitacre agrees to wear a wire in order to gather the evidence needed to convict the greedy money-grabbers at ADM. Unfortunately, both the case -- and Whitacre's integrity -- are compromised when FBI agents become frustrated by their informant's ever-shifting account, and discover that he isn't exactly the saintly figure he made himself out to be. Unable to discern reality from Whitacre's fantasy as they struggle to build their case against ADM, the FBI watches in horror as the highest-ranking corporate bust in U.S. history threatens to implode before their very eyes. Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, and Melanie Lynskey co-star. well again a movie that i rated Not Interested previously but it was on TV so i saw it, it is happening alot nowadays lol. this movie is really different and odd movie, a little strange too. but i liked it, it is really interesting movie to watch i was really amused by it, it is a really intelligent quirky funny spy movie. Matt Damon stars as Mark Whitacre, he lies lies and more lies to cover the previous ones and towards the end he gets caught up really bad. i really liked this thing that even towards the end it kept me guessing, i had no idea it was him who was lying, that is so weird i loved it. movie is really in a narrative way, as in Matt Damon's character whatever he thinks is narrated and you will love it, after the story, acting and the funny premise of it, it is something to like and enjoy. Matt Damon wen't on a complete physical transformation for this role as you can see, he seems really good in it and strange too. he was really underrated in this movie he did an amazing job in this movie i really liked his performance. loved it. Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey, Rick Overton , Tom Papa , Tony Hale , Adam Paul etc co stars. they are just above average in it but the real star here is Matt Damon. he is the reason i loved this movie and so will you. i admit that story in interesting and enjoyable screenplay is okay not very good, it is slow and dull at places. direction is good for a weird spy comedy. Steven Soderberg, one of my favorites, i like him. he is good with comedies i must say. editing was good, cinematography and art direction were good too. go see it if you wan't to.

mrt123
teen, 16 years old
 
best comedy
A intellegent comedy that would have gotten a pg rating if they took out a few F bombs. Matt damon is a great actor in this movie. Its probably okay for any 13 year old. It shouldn't have gotten an R.

masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
 
great movie matt damon is a genius
this move is brilliant smart genius well made all of the above probably only to attract some older teens but i was reeled in like a fish.

spickolick
teen, 17 years old
 
Just stupid...
Hated this movie. Only saw it because Joel McHale was advertising the bejeesus out of the thing and was surprisingly disappointed. Do NOT recommend this movie.

 

movies make me :)
kid, 13 years old
 
Just boring
Let your little kid watch it, they won't like it... it's boring

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see The Informant!?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age