I haven’t felt as angry watching a movie in many years as I did watching “Dark Waters.” It’s a film much like Erin Brockovich (2000). This is a true story about corporate criminality. I think it will wind up in my Top 20, and possibly even my Top 10. I consider it a MUST-SEE! Mark Ruffalo gives an excellent performance, although the part isn’t juicy enough for an AA nomination.
Wilbur Tennant (Bill Camp) is a cattle rancher in Parkersburg, West Virginia. His cows are dying, and he’s convinced that DuPont Chemical Corp. is poisoning the water. He’s an acquaintance of Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo)’s grandmother. Robert is a defense corporate lawyer working for a Cincinnati law firm headed by Tom Terp (Tim Robbins). Wilbur drives up to Cincinnati and pleads with Robert to sue DuPont so his cows don’t keep dying. Other town citizens are also coming down with various diseases.
Although conflicted, since he doesn’t take plaintiff cases, Robert agrees to help Wilbur with the qualified approval of Tom that there will be a quick resolution to the case. It turns out to be a monumental task, since Bilott must prove that DuPont poisoned the water and soil, and also that they intentionally did it! The toxic substance was PFOA (Per-Fluoro-Octanoic Acid) – a by-product of the production of “Teflon.” Once it gets into your body, it never leaves. Everyone who has ever used “Teflon” has traces of PFOA in their bodies. “Teflon” was invented in 1945 and was marketed for many years. The law suit wasn’t settled until 2017 – about ten years after it was launched.
It’s an interesting story about how Bilott methodically goes about proving his case, despite considerable personal cost to himself and his family, especially his wife, Sarah (Anne Hathaway), with DuPont and it’s sociopathic C.E.O. fighting him every step of the way. I liked the first half better because the second half was a bit slow and too long.
“Dark Waters” illustrates what happens when evil people run a big corporation, but I wouldn’t take it as a message condemning capitalism as a whole. I still think capitalism, despite its flaws, is generally the best economic system yet invented. The vast majority of private companies are run ethically. After all, there are plenty of sociopaths in government, too, where they can have even more power to cause harm.
I haven't felt as angry watching a movie in many years as I did watching "Dark Waters." It's a film much like Erin Brockovich (2000). This is a true story about corporate criminality. I think it will wind up in my Top 20, and possibly even my Top 10. I consider it a MUST-SEE! Mark Ruffalo gives an excellent performance, although the part isn't juicy enough for an AA nomination. Wilbur Tennant (Bill Camp) is a cattle rancher in Parkersburg, West Virginia. His cows are dying, and he's convinced that DuPont Chemical Corp. is poisoning the water. He's an acquaintance of Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo)'s grandmother. Robert is a defense corporate lawyer working for a Cincinnati law firm headed by Tom Terp (Tim Robbins). Wilbur drives up to Cincinnati and pleads with Robert to sue DuPont so his cows don't keep dying. Other town citizens are also coming down with various diseases. Although conflicted, since he doesn't take plaintiff cases, Robert agrees to help Wilbur with the qualified approval of Tom that there will be a quick resolution to the case. It turns out to be a monumental task, since Bilott must prove that DuPont poisoned the water and soil, and also that they intentionally did it! The toxic substance was PFOA (Per-Fluoro-Octanoic Acid) - a by-product of the production of "Teflon." Once it gets into your body, it never leaves. Everyone who has ever used "Teflon" has traces of PFOA in their bodies. "Teflon" was invented in 1945 and was marketed for many years. The law suit wasn't settled until 2017 - about ten years after it was launched. It's an interesting story about how Bilott methodically goes about proving his case, despite considerable personal cost to himself and his family, especially his wife, Sarah (Anne Hathaway), with DuPont and it's sociopathic C.E.O. fighting him every step of the way. I liked the first half better because the second half was a bit slow and too long. "Dark Waters" illustrates what happens when evil people run a big corporation, but I wouldn't take it as a message condemning capitalism as a whole. I still think capitalism, despite its flaws, is generally the best economic system yet invented. The vast majority of private companies are run ethically. After all, there are plenty of sociopaths in government, too, where they can have even more power to cause harm.
Dark Waters: Corporate America At Its Worst!
Dark Waters: Corporate America At Its Worst!
2019-12-16
David
80
8
Enraging True Story!
Fine Performance By Ruffalo!
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
8
