Where do I even begin with "Confidential Informant"? Let's start with the positives. The only reason this movie earns a generous 5-star rating from me is the presence of Mel Gibson and Dominic Purcell. Their names on the poster gave me hope, but sadly, their screen time amounted to a mere blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance. Kudos to them for making the most out of their limited minutes.
Now, let's dive into the cesspool of mediocrity that is this film. From the moment it began, I knew I was in for a wild ride, and by wild, I mean an uncontrollable descent into disappointment. The cast, excluding Gibson and Purcell, consists of C-list actors who seem to have found their true calling in television series rather than the big screen. I can't help but wonder why Gibson chose such an inferior project. Is he willingly treading on lower ground? Let's hope not.
The movie's amateurish production is painfully evident. It reeks of cheapness and lacks any semblance of visual appeal. It's as if the entire budget was spent on gathering the star-studded cast, leaving nothing for decent cinematography or production design. But the biggest letdown of all is the absence of thrill or suspense. Zero, zilch, nada. It's like watching paint dry, except paint drying might actually hold your attention longer.
I genuinely wish this movie could be erased from existence, and I sincerely hope that Mel Gibson finds himself in better roles in the future. Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the irony that this movie claims to be based on actual events. It's hard to believe when the execution is so subpar that even a fifth-grade drama class could come up with a more compelling narrative.
The blame for this catastrophe lies heavily on the shoulders of Michael Oblowitz, the experienced cinematographer turned producer and director. With an astonishing 36 prior directorial credits, one would expect him to have learned a thing or two about making an engaging film. Alas, he proved us wrong. His choices of color palettes are horrendous, the lighting is murky, and the camera angles feel outdated. And let's not even get started on the laughable action choreography and shoddy camera work. It's a wonder how he managed to stretch 88 minutes into what felt like an eternity.
The lack of cinematic creativity is astounding. The overbearing and unfitting score constantly begs for attention, as if trying to cover up the glaring flaws of the movie. But believe me, there's no hiding the fact that "Confidential Informant" is an absolute trainwreck.
To sum it up, this film is a terrible collaboration of a lackluster script, amateurish direction, and wasted potential. The talented cast deserves better, especially given the abysmal material they had to work with. Perhaps Oblowitz should stick to short films and music videos, leaving filmmaking to those who possess the necessary knack. As much as I admire Gibson, Purcell, and the stunning Kate Bosworth, I urge you to save yourself the agony and skip this cringe-worthy production. It simply isn't worth your time.
In conclusion, "Confidential Informant" is the kind of movie that makes you question your life choices. It's a perfect storm of bad choices, horrendous editing, and a complete lack of believability. I can't help but wonder if this film was intended as a joke, but unfortunately, the only punchline here is the fact that it actually got made. Save yourself the agony and steer clear of this colossal misfire.
