Informant | Rotten Tomatoes

Informant

2012

1 hr. 22 min.

Documentary

List

89%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Jamie Meltzer delves into the life of Brandon Darby, a radical activist turned FBI informant.

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Audience Member

Even though this doc is firmly grounded in politics, it's real subject is a character study of the kind of egomaniac that doesn't care what he really believes--as long as he's the center of attention.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An interesting look at a very confusing and bizarre story. Writer/director Jamie Meltzer certainly wanted to show both sides of this story, but I'm not sure he accomplished it. It's certainly not a bad documentary, but I found myself losing interest and zoning out more than once.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent documentary--thought provoking and well-crafted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This guy was nuts. Don't know how either "side" trusted him. Interesting documentary for sure but what a snake oil salesman.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Even-sided and well put-together.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

walter m

With the documentary "Informant," let's start with what is known: Brandon Darby once worked with a collective in post-Katrina New Orleans to provide basic services for the populace. Three years later, he goes undercover as an FBI informant to gather information on militant activists intent on disrupting the Republican Convention in Minneapolis. Needless to say, there are more than a few people who feel betrayed by this second part. But rewind and forget all the politics for a second, even though it is cool to see another collective in action doing a lot of good for the community. Before that, Darby drives from Austin, Tx to rescue his friend King from the floodwaters, thus making him a hero. But it is this same heroic attitude that makes him an ill fit for the everyday tasks of the collective where the workers are required to get their hands dirty, not to mention the meetings which while containing no action are necessary for forming ideas and hearing from members. So, frustrated, Darby looks elsewhere to continue being a hero and for the adulation he feels he deserves, even continuing to be given another chance while playing himself in this documentary. And I almost feel a little sorry for him, until about the last fifteen minutes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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David Lewis

San Francisco Chronicle

This is a multilayered film that not only exposes a man's contradictions - a do-gooder narcissist; a thoughtful, delusional activist - but also speaks volumes about the fringes on both sides of the political spectrum.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 24, 2013

Full Review

Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

This timely documentary passes the test as a work of balanced journalism about a man of fascinating contradictions.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 18, 2013

Full Review

Claude Peck

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Anyone interested in movement politics in the 21st century will get plenty to ponder in this well-made doumentary.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 19, 2013

Full Review

Marc Mohan

Oregonian

More of a frustrating experience than an enlightening one.

Rated: C+

Oct 1, 2013

Full Review

Brent Simon

Shared Darkness

It suffers from a slow start, but blossoms into a rather fascinating piece of nonfiction psychological portraiture.

Rated: B

Sep 14, 2013

Full Review

Harvey S. Karten

Compuserve

Fairly involving doc about a de-radicalized revolutionary turncoat.

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2013

Full Review

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Jamie Meltzer delves into the life of Brandon Darby, a radical activist turned FBI informant.

Director: Jamie Meltzer
Executive Producer: Adam Spielberg
Screenwriter: Jamie Meltzer
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 19, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3K

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