Director: Todd Haynes
Screenplay: Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan
Minutes: 129
Year: 2019
Score: 7.53
Release: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Director Todd Haynes and Producer/Star Mark Ruffalo bring us a story of capitalism and its desire to kill us, the consumer, at all costs.
From UPHE.com:
Inspired by a shocking true story, a tenacious attorney (Mark Ruffalo) uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life – to expose the truth. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman also star in this gripping thriller.
Heads up, there are some mild spoilers which were probably disclosed in the previews, but, let it be known. Please feel free to go in blind with a recommendation that this is a well made feature with the pacing of a long, drawn out, legal battle. By the second hour I could have sworn that I had started the forth. Color me amazed when I learned that it was barely over two hours.
For viewers familiar with the work of Todd Haynes (Carol, Safe) it is not uncommon to expect a beautifully shot film that is much bleaker than you might prefer. This film is about the DuPont corporation improperly, though legally, disposing of chemical waste from their Teflon product. Again, while legal, the paperwork produced in this film appears to show that they were aware of the possible side effects of exposure but chose to ignore it.
The performance of Mark Ruffalo, as well as his interest in focusing on this story, are to be applauded. While there isn’t too much obvious character work Ruffalo felt as real and authentic as we can expect from the actor. It was nice to also see Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman, both are excellent in their respective roles.
The special features are interesting and add enough to the experience that you will walk away being more familiar with the subject, so they do their jobs, but they aren’t too in depth.
Special Features
- Uncovering Dark Waters
- The Cost of Being a Hero
- The Real People
Director: 8 – Cinematography: 9 – Edit: 3 – Parity: 2 – Main performance: 10 – Else performance: 8 – Score: 6 – Sound: 7 – Story: 10 – Script: 9 – Effects: 9 – Design: 6 – Costumes: 6 – Keeps interest: 10 – Lasting: 10