Whether he has George Clooney rob a Las Vegas casino or has Julia Roberts adopt a Southern accent to take down a corporation, director Steven Soderbergh makes his audience think. Known for his witty and off-beat direction, he’s able to access and illustrate another realm of the human mind and how it works.

In his new movie, The Informant!, he uses an absurdist tone to examine the inner workings of a pathological liar — but ends up creating an over-the-top mess. Without the superb acting of Matt Damon, the film would have been stuck between comedy and drama, but instead, it emerges as a delightful black comedy.

Soderbergh immediately sets a witty tone for during the film’s opening credits. The flick flashes a warning discussing how the events portrayed are dramatized and only based on facts — quickly followed by the clever punch line, “so there.” Soderbergh then introduces viewers to Mark Whitacre (Damon) — an executive with agriculture giant Archer Daniels Midland.

Viewers learn tidbits about the way the interesting fellow thinks via sporadic voice-overs of his random, everyday thoughts — like how much his coworkers make or how to kill a bat. After Whitacre’s introduction, Soderbergh introduces the audience to a price-fixing scheme happening with Archer Daniels Midland and other companies around the world. Whitacre then begins working with the FBI as an informant — wearing a wire to create hundreds of tapes.

The Informant!’s major flaw was its inability to find steady ground on either the comedic or dramatic side. The film wanted to poke fun at the Archer Daniels Midland situation as well as at Whitacre’s mannerisms and interactions (and his mustache) while still trying to hold onto a story about a man who loses control of himself.

At times, the tone worked, and it was delightfully heartbreaking to witness Whitacre fall apart. But the dark humor was often lost with Soderbergh’s emphasis on creating comedy rather than just letting it happen on the screen.

In spite of these frustrations, the film is actually quite pleasant. Damon (who reportedly put on 30 pounds for the role) is outstanding. The Informant! relies completely on him and his portrayal of Whitacre, and he nails it. He isn’t afraid to be silly or goofy to not only get laughs but evoke an appreciation and connection from the audience.

Despite a few flaws, The Informant! shows audiences how the human mind is our biggest tool and our biggest enemy. Whitcare’s ability to make viewers identify with him makes them want the character to succeed because he is representation of everyday people — showing how people deal with their flaws and their attempts to make sense of the world. Even though Soderbergh tries too hard with this film, Damon’s brilliant acting is its savior.