London Film Festival 2009: Top 10 must-sees (4)
Feature by Rob Carnevale
Film: The Informant!
What’s it about? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) suddenly turns whistleblower – but what is he thinking?.
Why so essential? Matt Damon bulked up to play Mark Whiteacre, the good intention but bumbling whistleblower at the heart of Steven Sodebergh’s latest movie. The film is based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in US history but adopts a lightness of touch that doesn’t make the subject matter too heavy-handed. Critics have already warmed to it at Venice.
Pre-LFF buzz: The wacky little brother of Erin Brockovich, The Informant! goofs around light-heartedly while still doing some justice to the true-life story of a zealous but wildly delusional corporate whistle-blower – Variety
Film: Cold Souls
What’s it about? When actor Paul Giamatti (played by Paul Giamatti) decides to have his soul extracted in order to get to grips with playing Uncle Vanya, he suddenly finds life taking a turn for the worse. His attempts to reclaim his soul from the company storing it hit a snag, however, when they admit to having lost it to soul-traffickers.
Why so essential? Billed as an existential comedy that boasts Charlie Kaufman-esque qualities, writer-director Sophie Barthes’ movie is a fun, inventive and completely surreal experience that boasts a winning central performance from the ever-excellent Giamatti and fine support from the likes of David Strathairn and Emily Watson.
Pre-LFF buzz: An ambitious, elegantly shot, tonally cool first feature written and directed by Sophie Barthes – New York Times
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