One of the interesting observations about the film "The Informant" finally being made is a question some have posed.

"Is this going to be a bad thing for Decatur? Will this show Decatur in a bad light?"

As was finally confirmed last week by a publicist connected with the production, "The Informant," a film based on Kurt Eichenwald's 2000 book about Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s 1990s-era price-fixing scandal, is to begin filming in Decatur in April and May.

In 1992, the FBI had ADM executive Mark Whitacre wear a wire, and the federal agency recorded hundreds of hours of ADM executives conspiring to fix the price on animal feed additive lysine. ADM ultimately was fined $100 million for the conspiracy.

As for who will be seen in a bad light, well, the story doesn't reflect well on the early 1990s upper management of Decatur's largest employer. But "The Informant" is no reflection at all on ADM's current employees (or its past employees, for the most part), let alone the city of Decatur.

The story took place in Decatur because Decatur is the home city of ADM. If Caterpillar were at the center of a controversy, the story would take place in Peoria. If State Farm Insurance were at the center of a controversy, the story would take place in Bloomington-Normal. If Deere were at the center of a controversy, the story would take place in the Quad Cities.

Would any of those communities be reflected in a negative fashion? Probably to people silly enough not to think it through. But "The Informant" is a story about people, not about a city.

And it's a city that's going movie crazy and will no doubt get crazier. Some people have stars in their eyes, thinking about partying with Matt Damon (who will play Whitacre) and whoever else is cast. (For a list of the other roles that will apparently be cast for the film, see www.showfax.com/role_selection.cfm?l=2&t=3&p=93798.)

Here's a guess: Any person connected with the film you see will be (a) by accident and (b) very tired. Director Steven Soderbergh doesn't waste time with his films. The guy already has directed 10 films and five television program episodes this DECADE. Two additional films directed by Soderbergh are in post-production now.

He started the decade with two Academy Award nominations for best director in one year (for 2000's "Erin Brockovich" and the award-winning "Traffic.")

He edits many of his own films and acts as his own cinematographer as well.

He's built a reputation for working quickly and under budget. The publicist of "The Informant" last week indicated the length of the location shoot would be four or five weeks, which is precious little time. (The looming actors' strike is additional incentive for Soderbergh to hurry up and get his shooting done.)

In other words, as I wrote to a friend who'd e-mailed expressing potential jealousy if I was given the opportunity to talk with Damon on Soderbergh: "As much as I'd love to, I doubt I'm going to be talking to either of them. They're not here promoting a film; they're here working. And that's going to take all the time they have."

If potential extras or crew workers want to think otherwise � heck, even if it actually turns out otherwise for them � fine. But planning on tossing back an adult beverage or dancing the night away with Jason Bourne may be a mistake.

One other point with my meager role in connection with the film: I have none. I report. I gather and disseminate information. I do not know the extras coordinator, or the prop man, or where housing will be. As information becomes available, the Herald & Review will gather and disseminate as much of it as we possibly can.

But do us all a favor and don't call and ask for "additional information."

A few years ago, a notable media fixture in town did not have a contract renewed. In the midst of the fallout of the story, one reader called me and said, "I know you know more about what's going on than you've written. Just tell me what you know."

I responded (sarcastically, and I'm not proud of that, but it was called for), "You're right, sir. Rather than share it with 80,000 readers, I've held information back just waiting for you to call."

When the information is available, we'll have it for you.

Fortunately, the Herald & Review is an environment where getting it right is more important than getting it first. Ideally, we do both. So we were quiet amidst all the rumors about Springfield being the site for "The Informant," which peaked with a television report the night of the Academy Awards.

While there was some logic behind the story - most notably the existence of a Springfield Film Commission and a recent Hollywood production ("Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde") doing location work in the state's capitol - no confirmation from anyone close to the production was forthcoming.

The classified advertisement that appeared in the Herald & Review on March 2 was the first solid evidence, and was followed by a notice on the Springfield Film Commission's Web site.

Hollywood productions aren't known for doing much in the open when they're on location. It will be interesting to see whether that's the case when "The Informant" comes to Decatur.

And I'd like to share one thing I said during an appearance on Springfield's WTAX Radio earlier this week. The host asked me about reports Damon had been in Decatur at some point, scouting locations.

"I've heard that," I said. "And I heard it six or seven years ago, too. The problem is, most of the men in Decatur look like Matt Damon."

Tim Cain can be reached at timcain@herald-review.com or 421-6908.