No one could ever accuse Matt Damon of being a vain actor.
Sporting a hideous rug and moustache and lugging around 30 extra pounds, the star just about destroys his sexy image as oddball corporate whistleblower Marc Whitacre in The Informant!
Based on true events, Steven Soderbergh’s satire reveals how Whitacre agreed to help the FBI expose price-fixing at ADM, the agri-business giant where he worked.
Problem is he’s a pathological liar, to the point where the agent in charge of the investigation, Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula), doesn’t know what to believe.
As the authorities turn their attention from ADM to Whitacre, the whistleblower’s tales get increasing taller.
With Soderbergh adopting a slow, meandering pace, Damon has his work cut out to stop The Informant! from turning into an almighty snore.
Showing a deft comic touch, the actor is up to the task and delivers a performance both funny and poignant.
It is the sort of multi-layered turn that whets the appetite for Damon’s portrayal of Springbok captain Francois Pienaar in upcoming Clint Eastwood movie Invictus.
Good for: Those who like to see a method actor at work.
PIERRE DE VILLIERS
