Screenplay data
Mark Whitacre, a rising executive at Archer Daniels Midland, informs the FBI about an alleged extortion attempt by a Japanese competitor, but soon reveals a much larger price-fixing conspiracy within his own company. As Mark becomes an informant, secretly recording conversations with ADM executives Mick Andreas and Terry Wilson, his erratic behavior and embellishments raise red flags for FBI agents Brian Shepard and Bob Herndon. The FBI uncovers Mark's own financial crimes, including embezzlement and kickbacks, leading to a shift in the investigation from ADM to Mark himself. Despite his lawyers' advice, Mark confesses to his crimes, attempts suicide, and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, further complicating his credibility. Ultimately, Mark is sentenced to a lengthy prison term for fraud, while the ADM executives he helped expose also receive sentences for their roles in the price-fixing scheme.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Mark Whitacre, a high‐ranking executive at ADM, becomes an FBI informant to expose international price‐fixing of lysine, straining his family and sanity.
Open full beat sheetMark Whitacre is listed as Protagonist / Whistleblower. 33, biochemist, VP at ADM, bipolar, prone to embellishment. In the parsed data, Mark Whitacre is connected to 126 scenes, 188 dialogue lines, 200 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
126 scenes / 188 dialogue linesBrian Shepard is listed as FBI Special Agent. 43, stationed in Decatur. In the parsed data, Brian Shepard is connected to 49 scenes, 75 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
49 scenes / 75 dialogue linesBob Herndon is listed as FBI Agent. 33, Shepard's partner. In the parsed data, Bob Herndon is connected to 34 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
34 scenes / 32 dialogue linesGinger Whitacre is listed as Mark's Wife. 33, Mark's high school sweetheart. In the parsed data, Ginger Whitacre is connected to 28 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
28 scenes / 29 dialogue linesMick Andreas is listed as Vice Chairman of ADM. 45, powerful executive. In the parsed data, Mick Andreas is connected to 21 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
21 scenes / 21 dialogue linesTerry Wilson is listed as President of ADM Corn Business. 55, aggressive executive. In the parsed data, Terry Wilson is connected to 13 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
13 scenes / 13 dialogue linesMark Cheviron is listed as ADM Security. 38, former Decatur cop. In the parsed data, Mark Cheviron is connected to 10 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
10 scenes / 11 dialogue lineschar_13 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_13 is connected to 8 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 148.
8 scenes / 8 dialogue linesLiz Taylor is listed as Mark's Secretary. 35, wears corn-themed jewelry. In the parsed data, Liz Taylor is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesAlexander Whitacre is listed as Mark's Son. 6 years old. In the parsed data, Alexander Whitacre is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDwayne Andreas is listed as ADM Executive. 70, powerful patriarch. In the parsed data, Dwayne Andreas is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 116.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue lineschar_14 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_14 is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 150.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_21 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_21 is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 158.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue lineschar_26 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_26 is connected to 3 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 168.
3 scenes / 6 dialogue lineschar_20 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_20 is connected to 2 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 157.
2 scenes / 5 dialogue lineschar_23 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_23 is connected to 2 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 163.
2 scenes / 5 dialogue lineschar_15 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_15 is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 151.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_25 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_25 is connected to 1 scene, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 166.
1 scenes / 5 dialogue lineschar_16 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_16 is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 151.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 127.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_17 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_17 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 151.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_22 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_22 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 162.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_24 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_24 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 164.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMark Whitacre provides a voiceover narration about the ubiquity of corn in everyday products while a combine harvests a field.
Mark WhitacreMark Whitacre drives his son Alexander to school while continuing his monologue about corn.
Mark Whitacre, Alexander WhitacreMark arrives at work, greets colleagues, and receives lysine results from his secretary.
Mark Whitacre, Liz TaylorMark inspects the failing lysine plant with a foreman.
Mark WhitacreMick Andreas and Terry Wilson pressure Mark to fix the failing lysine plant.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Terry WilsonMark has dinner with Ginger and Alexander, discussing a potential move to Mexico.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger Whitacre, Alexander WhitacreMark receives a mysterious call from Fujiwara at Ajinomoto.
Mark Whitacre, Liz TaylorMark fills up his car and reflects on childhood memories.
Mark WhitacreMark informs Mick Andreas about the extortion attempt by Fujiwara.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasMark discusses his future plans with Ginger.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreAndreas and Cheviron inform Mark that the FBI is getting involved.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Mark ChevironGinger answers a phone call while Mark is at work.
Ginger WhitacreMark talks to Ginger on the phone about the FBI.
Mark WhitacreGinger advises Mark to be honest with the FBI.
Ginger WhitacreMark meets with FBI Agent Brian Shepard and Cheviron.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Mark ChevironMark returns home and talks to Ginger about the meeting.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreCheviron receives a late-night call from Mark.
Mark ChevironMark calls Cheviron to report a fake threat against his daughter.
Mark Whitacre, Mark ChevironMark admits to Andreas and Cheviron that he lied about the threat.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Mark ChevironMark and Ginger dine with Sid Hulse.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreMark and Ginger drive home.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreMark and Ginger discuss the situation.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreGinger confronts Mark about his involvement with ADM and urges him to tell the FBI everything. Mark refuses, citing complexity. Shepard arrives to install a recording device on the office phone.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger Whitacre, Brian ShepardShepard instructs Mark on how to use the tape recorder to capture calls.
Mark Whitacre, Brian ShepardMark walks Shepard to his car. Ginger interrupts to confront them, forcing Mark to admit he has something to say.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger Whitacre, Brian ShepardMark confesses to Shepard about the price-fixing scheme at ADM and his involvement under Mick and Dwayne Andreas.
Mark Whitacre, Brian ShepardGinger checks on her son and watches Mark talking to Shepard from the window.
Ginger Whitacre, Alexander WhitacreShepard finishes taking notes and calls his supervisor, Paisley, to report the new information.
Mark Whitacre, Brian ShepardMark arrives at work and is confronted by Cheviron about the recording device.
Mark Whitacre, Mark Cheviron, Liz TaylorShepard briefs Paisley and Medford on the price-fixing allegations.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonMark is on the phone while pacing in his office.
Mark WhitacreShepard discusses the ADM motto with his superiors.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonMark storms down the hallway, angry.
Mark WhitacreShepard expresses concern about Cheviron's involvement.
Brian ShepardMark confronts Cheviron about the FBI tapping his home phone.
Mark Whitacre, Mark ChevironCheviron calls Shepard to verify the phone monitoring.
Brian Shepard, Mark ChevironAndreas and Cheviron tell Mark they are cutting ties with the FBI.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Mark Cheviron, Liz TaylorMark meets with Shepard and Paisley to provide expense reports and discuss the price-fixing.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonThe FBI asks Mark to wear a wire.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonMark, Wilson, and Andreas discuss campaign contributions while at Coors headquarters.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Terry WilsonShepard and Herndon discuss the case.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonMark test drives a new BMW.
Mark WhitacreShepard advises Herndon on how to interact with Mark.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonThe Whitacre family looks at the new car.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger Whitacre, Alexander WhitacreMark checks his messages and speaks with Shepard on the phone.
Mark Whitacre, Brian ShepardWhitacre sits in his car in the Hampton Hotel parking lot, talking to Shepard on the phone while struggling with his decision to cooperate and his fear of ADM.
Mark Whitacre, Brian ShepardWhitacre undergoes a polygraph test administered by Herndon and Shepard.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonThe agents step out of the room to discuss the polygraph results.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonThe agents confront Whitacre about the failed polygraph, leading to his confession.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonWhitacre arrives at work and narrates his actions into a recorder, then speaks with Terry Wilson.
Mark Whitacre, Terry WilsonWhitacre meets with the FBI to hand over tapes.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonWhitacre travels to Paris and makes a recorded phone call to Mick Andreas.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Brian ShepardWhitacre prepares his recording equipment in an airport bathroom.
Mark WhitacreWilson meets with French executives while Whitacre records the conversation.
Mark Whitacre, Terry WilsonThe FBI reviews the latest tapes and decides to wire Whitacre's body.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonWhitacre shows off his recording equipment to his gardener.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre travels with Andreas, who makes derogatory comments about a former employee.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasWhitacre arrives in California and prepares for the meeting.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasAn FBI agent wires Whitacre for the upcoming meeting.
Mark WhitacreHotel staff prepare the room for the meeting, including a hidden camera in a lamp.
Whitacre tests the wire.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre and Andreas head to the meeting.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasThe executives arrive at the hotel.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasThe meeting begins, monitored by the FBI.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonThe executives discuss lysine market share.
Mark Whitacre, Mick AndreasShepard struggles to control the camera.
Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonAndreas proposes a division of the market.
Mick AndreasShepard and Herndon observe Whitacre opening his briefcase containing a hidden tape recorder.
Brian Shepard, Bob Herndon, Mark WhitacreWhitacre struggles with his briefcase recorder while Andreas and others discuss market growth.
Mark Whitacre, Mick Andreas, Dwayne AndreasHerndon and Shepard present the tape to Robin Mann, who remains skeptical about the evidence.
Bob Herndon, Brian Shepard, Mark WhitacreWhitacre meets with Marty Allison to discuss business and money.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre drops off tapes and discusses the risks of recording in Japan with the FBI.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonWhitacre buys equipment at Radio Shack.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre attends a meeting with ADM executives and Asian partners.
Mark Whitacre, Terry WilsonWhitacre flips the tape in the bathroom and is interrupted by an executive.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre watches 'The Firm' and reflects on his role as an informant.
Mark WhitacreWhitacre drives his Range Rover.
Mark WhitacreGinger confronts Mark about his suspicious behavior and his shaved chest.
Mark Whitacre, Ginger WhitacreWhitacre meets with Shepard and Herndon, demanding immunity and salary compensation.
Mark Whitacre, Brian Shepard, Bob HerndonWhitacre labels and stores his tapes.
Mark WhitacreMark committed a crime. He stole nine million dollars. It's indefensible. But these guys from ADM stole hundreds of millions of dollars from innocent people all over the world. Mark showed you that four white guys in suits getting together in the middle of the day, isn't a business meeting. It's a crime scene. And not only did he tell you about it, he got you the evidence to prove it. Now, we're not looking for the moon and stars. We're looking for something in the area of three years.. .Or we can take it to trial. And in that trial I'll lay out everything Mark Whitacre did-- good and bad...
That's why they wanted me to lie. Fujiwara's calling on my home line. But, so are the people we fix prices with. They didn't want you to hear those conversations so they told me to say the Fujiwara calls came in on the ADM line. But, I knew if you guys ever started looking at the records you'd see all these calls I have to Japan. And that's what scared me. Nobody has more calls than me. If you ever figured out about the price fixing, I'd be the fall guy.
I know it's tough keeping it all bottled up inside, keeping it a secret. But, there's only one good choice for you. That's all there's ever been. There's something you're hiding, something you're keeping from us. But, the only way to protect yourself is to be completely honest.
You're not better than somebody else because you have more cars or a bigger salary. Or some stables across the road. You used to know that, you used to know what mattered. You need to find that out again-- you need to turn to God.
Mark, I gotta ask you, why are you doing this? We know you lied to us about the phone line and you're afraid of that. But, now you're telling us all this other stuff out of the blue. I gotta ask you why?
Hey, it's Mark Whitacre calling from Paris for Mick Andreas...Hey, it's Mark. I just got out of the lysine meeting... It went great...I think we can keep it at around a buck and a quarter no problem...
We have a big board of directors. We have public shareholders. Like you, we've suffered. Prices are nowhere near where we hoped they would be. Now the question is, if the market grows, who gets it?
What people have to realize is-- the FBI did the same thing. They locked my husband in an investigation and drove our family around for three years threatening him. You tell me, where are they now?
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