The Informant! is a new movie just out based on the true story of the investigation of the notorious agricultural and chemical conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland (known as ADM) that was fine $500M in the mid 90's for international price fixing. The entire investigation was initiated when a biochemist turned corporate VP told an FBI agent (played by Star Trek first generation hero Scott Bakula with unbelievable hair) about all of the international price fixing he was "forced" into with Japanese, French and other companies by ADM. The ADM VP is a very real person named Mark Whitacre (played by a chubby Matt Damon and who looks like Greg Davis (remember him Jeanne?)).

Whitacre initially approaches the FBI claiming that a Japanese competitor is blackmailing him and then pops the big surprise with his off-the-cuff announcement of ADM's involvement in international price fixing. The FBI agents, never sure of Whitacre's motivation, go along and turn Whitacre into an undercover agent. Whitacre travels the world for ADM for several years while wearing a "wire" arranging deals with his bosses and the leaders of several Japanese, French and other European companies. However, Mark has his own secrets which gravely threaten the investigation and corporate convictions, not to mention his immature behaviour which nearly blow his cover. He is a pathological liar.

Movie is a serious comedy. How can a comedy be serious?The subject - corporate price-fixing - is very serious and so are the consequences for all involved, including the poor agents controlling Whitacre. However Whitacre is such a hapless self-focused egoist that the movie is often very funny.

So see this one. Matt Damon does a terrific job as the pathological nerdy Whitacre.

By the way, you may get shown a preview for a new movie staring Robert Deniro called Everybody's Fine. DO NOT SEE this movie. It is a stupid Hollywood redo of the EXCELLENT Italian movie of the same English title that came out about 15-20 years ago.