The Informers (2009) Director: Marco Weber

The Informers is not a faithful adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's collection of short stories - although scripted by Ellis, he maintains it's "..the director's version of the script, and that's just how it is." with his words reportedly heavily hacked, including the complete removal of the vampire subplot. The movie is all the worse for it. What starts off with such potential goes nowhere. There is no point to this film. As Patrick Bateman himself would say "This confession has meant nothing".

It's wonderful to look at and has the feeling of being pretty cool - the 80s style, the clothes, the seediness, the haunting beauty of it all. We focus mainly on Graham (Jon Foster) - Bateman'ed up in his hair style - the son of movie producer William (Billy Bob Thornton) and his estranged wife Laura (Kim Basinger). Graham and his vacuous friends party, have group sex, sunbathe and really don't do much at all. The film starts with Graham's friend Bruce being mown down by a speeding car outside of a LA mansion and we are teased into thinking this could be as horrific as Ellis's book. Sadly not. We are denied any insight into these characters or the real juicy bits. There's plenty of nudity (Amber Heard, as Christie, is smokin') but there is nothing which echoes the chilling writing of Ellis.

The removal of the vampire subplot is a HUGE mistake. It says something about LA - the predatory fashion that people feed off each other; the way certain industries devour young girls and spit them out with no regard for their 'wellbeing', and that you'll only survive if you are the strongest. There could also be a clever reason why all of the characters in the film are so flat and one-dimensional - some people are like this in LA, you're so into yourself and your clique. You don't need to develop as a person. You are grey. You are boring. However, the movie's NOT that clever.

There is an amusing little subplot in the form of British rock singer Bryan Metro (Mel Raido) and his fellow bandmates, including Roger (Rhys Ifans). Bryan is permanently confused, and fuelled by his own addictions - as they fly into LA, he asks 'Didn't I live here?' and he can't help bedding male and female underage groupies. The man is an animal. He is is mesmerizing, a cut above the other dull characters on screen.

The ending is outrageous. It's almost like they just gave up and ran out of ideas. It just leaves you thinking - what was the point?! Still, if you want something 'pretty' to look at (where pretty means ugly) with a great 80s soundtrack, this could be the film for you. Just don't expect too much of it. And don't go near it if you're a fan of the book. But despite saying all this, there's something that would draw you back for a second viewing - it's a complete win for style over substance.
2/5 rolled up sleeves on pastel jackets