Dark Waters (2019)

 

 

 

 

Dark Waters is an American historical drama (based on a true story) which premiered in 2019. Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Directed by Tod Haynes

** Screenplay written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan

** Based on the article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare” by Nathaniel Rich, published in the New York Times on 6 January 2016

** Run time: 126 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott – a lawyer

** Anne Hathaway as Sarah Bilott – Robert’s wife

** Tim Robbins as Tom Terp – a lawyer

** Bill Camp as Wilbur Tennant – a farmer

** Victor Gerber as Phil Donnelly – a lawyer

 

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Not everything happened exactly as shown here. But the basic story is true.

 

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. Therefore I could mention many of them here, but I am not going to do that.

 

I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone. Therefore I will not reveal too much. I will only offer some basic information: this is a story about a lawyer who takes on a case about serious environmental problems which seem to be caused by a large chemical corporation (DuPont).

 

The time frame: the main story begins in 1998 and continues for more than a decade, until 2015.

 

What do reviewers say about this drama? Here are the results of three review aggregators:

 

73 per cent = Meta

76 per cent = IMDb

90 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

95 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

 

If you ask me, the first two ratings are too low, while the third and fourth ratings are much more appropriate. Why? 

 

I have four reasons:

 

(1) The script is well-written.

(2) The actors play their roles well.

(3) The story is captivating, dramatic and sometimes highly emotional.

(4) It is based on a true story.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

 

PS. This movie reminds me of two historical and legal dramas where the topic is one person against a big corporation; a conflict where we have David against Goliath:

 

** A Civil Action (1998)

** Erin Brockovich (2000)

 

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 DVD cover of the movie

 

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