Italian filmmaker Andrea Di Stefano made his directorial debut four years ago at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival with his historical crime drama “Escobar: Paradise Lost.” While boasting a relatively strong cast, led by Benicio Del Toro (“Sicario,” “The Usual Suspects”) and Josh Hutcherson (“The Hunger Games” franchise, “The Kids Are All Right”), the film opened to disappointingly tepid reviews from critics and audience alike – save some relatively high praise for Del Toro’s performance.
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Despite, Di Stefano now returns to try his hand again at the crime drama genre with his newest title “The Informer” (originally titled “Three Seconds“)– which just received a new updated trailer, courtesy of Aviron Pictures. Based on the original novel of the same title by authors Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström, and adapted for the screen by Matt Cook (“Triple 9,” “Patriots Day”), “The Informer” centers on Special Ops veteran Pete Koslow and his undercover mission to infiltrate a notorious New York City mob.
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Here’s the official synopsis:
Honorably discharged Special Ops soldier Pete Koslow’s (Joel Kinnaman) world is turned upside-down when he is jailed after a fight to protect his wife (Ana de Armas). He’s given a chance for early release by becoming an informant for the FBI (Academy Award nominees Rosamund Pike and Clive Owen) and using his covert skills in an operation to take down The General, the most powerful crime boss in New York. But when the FBI sting meant to finally earn Koslow his freedom results in the death of an undercover NYPD cop, Koslow finds himself caught in the crossfire between the mob and the FBI. The General insists Koslow takes the heat and sends him back to prison to spearhead a drug operation from inside, and the FBI affirms that going back to jail to do The General’s bidding is the only way for Koslow to keep his deal with them alive. Caught in a world of impossible choices, Koslow must return to prison, where he formulates a plan to escape the clutches of three of New York City’s most powerful organizations – the mob, the NYPD and the FBI – in order to save himself and his family.
Once again propped up by versatile casting, “The Informer” stars Ana de Armas (“Blade Runner 2049”), Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl,” another upcoming Aviron release “Private War”), Joel Kinnaman (“Altered Carbon,” “House of Cards”), Clive Owen (“Children of Men”) and Common (“Selma”).
Originally due in February of this year, “The Informer” is now slated to hit theaters on August 16. Watch the new trailer below.