The Informers (2009)

director: Gregor Jordan

writers: Bret Easton Ellis, Nicholas Jarecki

starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Kim Basinger, Jon Foster, Brad Renfro

genre: Drama









Here is a film that is empty and devoid of any true meaning, plot or even sense of duty to please the audience. The Informers just didn’t inform me of anything but only of how interesting and satirical work of intelligent writers can be dragged into dirt so easily.





The Informers is based on the book of Bret Easton Ellis. It tells the tale of many individuals in the city L.A. and there problems with life, their despair for it and utter negligence for something better. Sad thing is that this is one of the books of Ellis that I haven’t read so I don’t know exactly how the film fares to the novel but as we all can guess the book is probably better and most of Ellis classic trademarks seems to be missing.



Ellis wrote the script with Nicholas Jarecki while he was in position to direct. The studio went with Gregor Jordan and from there everything changed. From a probably faithful adaptation of the book comes a film that tries to feel cool, glamorous and purposeful, but while it isn’t. Jordan cut half the script and a vampire scene which most people would have intrigued to see. In so many words it’s a mess.



What this film lacks is the usual thing that makes Ellis books so great. Interesting, crisp and deep characters that you want to see why they are who they are. What aspects is he making fun of in that period and what that character represents for that time. Also other things that are missing is the first person voice-over, the satire of society and life at grand. All these elements seem gone and never present. I hope they are in the book, but are not in the film. Everything feels out of place, out of touch and with no purpose in the film. Things occur for no apparent reason and characters interact to spew stupid dialogues and idiot scenarios. All the characters are having problems which we don’t care about and don’t want to why or if they try to solve them.



Theres nothing interesting about this film. Void characters, amateur acting and lacking a very interesting plot or conclusion to it. Also the absence of a true meaning or social commentary makes this into a lackluster film. Pick up Ellis books instead seeing this. It will make your life more meaningful.

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul