Todd Haynes’ stirring true life drama tells the story of a long running case for corporate defence lawyer Rob Bilott (Mark Ruffalo). He normally represents chemical companies, but when Wilbur Tennant (Bill Camp), a farmer from his home town comes to him for help, he agrees to take a case that involves suing one of the powerful companies in America, Dupont. What first appears to be a case of negligence at one of their sites that has resulted in Wilbur’s livestock dying, turns into something much bigger. Dupont had been knowingly poisoning people for decades and had caused thousands of injuries, and even deaths.
There have been many films over the years, most of them based on true stories, involving plucky individuals taking on major corporations, and whilst Dark Waters does follow some of the usual tropes, it also has a fresh and vital feel to it. Haynes and his cinematographer, Edward Lachman, bring a textured, painterly style to the depiction of the American Midwest. Ruffalo delivers a committed performance and Camp is superb as the wronged and determined man.
The case, and the aftermath dragged on for many years, and there is a slight sense of a lagging of pace about two thirds of the way in, with the story losing focus. It is hard to care too much about whether Rob and his nagging wife (Anne Hathaway in a bit of a thankless part) can afford to send their kids to a posh school, whilst other people’s lives are on the line. Things pick up again towards the end though, making this a rewarding watch.
If you are looking for a punching the air moment as Dupont get their comeuppance, you will be disappointed, however. As the end text shows, the damages they have paid out are practically pocket change, and they continue to manufacture harmful products that are having a negative impact around the world.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10