Dark Waters
- Director: Todd Haynes
- Writer: Matthew Michael Carnahan; Mario Correa; Nathaniel Rich
- Producer: Pamela Koffler; Christine Vachon; Jeff Skoll; Jonathan King
CGiii Comment
DuPont...the great polluter, inventor of lies [and Teflon et al.]...and, guilty of corporate [mass] murder.
With a headline like that...this is going to be one fast and furious rollercoaster ride. It's not!
It's long, long-winded and so down-played...you would be forgiven for napping during this uninspired rendition of a [true] chemically-induced, hair-curling story. Todd Haynes played it safe, too safe...there is neither enough power nor artistry to make this as gripping as it should have been. This ain't Erin Brockovich!
The comparisons between these two films are obvious, environmental issues aside...one has star-power, the other has Mark 'monotonal' Ruffalo delivering a performance that practically flat-lines throughout the entire 126 minutes. We wanted anger, fury, passion and poise...!
Rather than delivering a crippling kick in DuPont's slithering balls, Todd Haynes has served a mere critical slap on the wrists. It's not a bad film...it's informative, it's shocking...it should have gone for the jugular...of each any every person who sanctioned the release of these chemicals. Definitely name them...then, shame them...until they beg for forgiveness.
C'mon...with environmental consciousness at an all-time high...we expected more Todd!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.
Cast & Characters
Anne Hathaway as Sarah Bilott;
William Jackson Harper;
Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott;
Bill Pullman;
Tim Robbins as Tom Terp;
Mare Winningham;
Victor Garber;
Bill Camp;
Louisa Krause as Karla;
Chaney Morrow as Young Farmer;
Denise Dal Vera as Sandra Tennant;
Daniel R. Hill;
Brian Gallagher as David Hollings;
Scarlett Hicks as Amy Tennant;
Kevin Crowley as Larry Winter;
Lyman Chen;
Trenton Hudson as Medical Patient;
Marc Hockl as Church Goer;
Lisa DeRoberts as Young Mother;
Lea Hutton Beasmore as EPA/Dinner Guest