Review of THE INFORMANT, with Matt Damon.

(B) This film has found a clever way to take the charracter of a wonderful family man and teach through him the valuable lesson, “Oh what a tangled web we weave,when first we practice to deceive.”

Daman becomes an informant to the FBI, while reporting price fixing in his company. However, he never recognizes or, at the very least, minimizes his own embezzlement of several million dollars, a scheme he conceives while working for the FBI.  Matt Damon is very believable in this role with his spot on expressions. Not a blockbuster film, but worth a “go see.” I give this one 2 1/2 binoculars.

(G) I thought Damon was terrific and I liked the West Wing spoof style of Soderberg’s direction. I also appreciated the selection of Marvin Hamlisch as the score’s composer. For me, though, having noted these positives I must add that the movie’s virtues can be summed up all too quickly. Melanie Lynskey (Rose on television’s Two and a Half Men) turns in a realistic performance that almost makes us forget her TV persona. I must say, that the fact that this based-on-a-true story would not have been enough for me, if Damon did not do such an excellent job. He (and Soderberg and the writers Scott Z. Burns (screenplay)Kurt Eichenwald (book) kept my interest, mainly by proving, once again that social commentary can be somewhat amusing. I agree, two and a half binoculars for this one.

All reviews are on a scale of 1-5 binoculars,with 5 being best.