Dark Waters 2019 Film
A Dark Waters 2019 Film is a American environmental legal thriller about Dupont Inc.'s contamination of a town with unregulated chemicals.
- Context:
- It can (typically) depict a Corporate Defense Attorney navigating a Complex Legal Case involving Environmental Contamination.
- It can (often) explore Environmental Law and the impact of Chemical Pollution on American Communities.
- It can highlight the challenges of facing Corporate Malfeasance (such as legal battles against powerful corporations).
- It can emphasize the role of Whistleblowers and Investigative Journalism in uncovering Corporate Misconduct.
- It can range from a Personal Struggle Story to a broader narrative about Environmental Justice.
- It can show the detailed processes of Legal Investigations, including gathering evidence and building a case against a corporation.
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- Example(s):
- the premier on New York City, New York, on November 12, 2019
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- Counter-Example(s):
- Erin Brockovich (2000 Film) that showcases a legal assistant's investigation into water contamination in a small town.
- A Civil Action (1998 Film) that follows a lawyer's case against two companies accused of contaminating a town's water supply.
- See: Courtroom Drama, Crime Thriller, Environmental Law, Whistleblowers, Investigative Journalism, Corporate Malfeasance.
References
2024
- (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Waters_(2019_film) Retrieved:2024-5-28.
- Dark Waters is a 2019 American legal thriller film directed by Todd Haynes and written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan. The story dramatizes Robert Bilott's case against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals. It stars Mark Ruffalo as Bilott, along with Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, and Bill Pullman.
The film is based on the 2016 New York Times Magazine article "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich. An account of the investigation and case was first publicized in the book Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal: The Hidden Dangers of C8 (2007) by Callie Lyons, a Mid-Ohio Valley journalist who covered the controversy as it was unfolding. Parts of the pollution and coverup story were also reported by Mariah Blake, whose 2015 article "Welcome to Beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia" was a National Magazine Award finalist, and Sharon Lerner, whose series "Bad Chemistry" ran in The Intercept. Bilott wrote his own memoir, Exposure (2019), detailing his 20-year legal battle against DuPont.
Dark Waters began a limited theatrical run on November 22, 2019 by Focus Features, before going wide on December 6. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $23 million.
- Dark Waters is a 2019 American legal thriller film directed by Todd Haynes and written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan. The story dramatizes Robert Bilott's case against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals. It stars Mark Ruffalo as Bilott, along with Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, and Bill Pullman.
2024
- Perplexity
- "Dark Waters" is a 2019 American legal thriller film directed by Todd Haynes, based on the true story of attorney Robert Bilott's legal battle against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont. The film stars Mark Ruffalo as Bilott, along with Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, and Bill Pullman.
- Plot Summary: The film follows Robert Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who typically represents large companies. His life takes a dramatic turn when he is approached by Wilbur Tennant, a farmer from Parkersburg, West Virginia, who believes that his cattle are dying due to chemical pollution from a nearby DuPont plant. Initially reluctant, Bilott decides to investigate and discovers that DuPont has been dumping a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) into the local water supply. This chemical, used in the production of Teflon, is linked to severe health issues, including various cancers and birth defects.
Bilott's investigation reveals a massive cover-up by DuPont, which had known about the dangers of PFOA for decades but continued to pollute the environment. The legal battle spans over two decades, during which Bilott faces significant personal and professional challenges, including financial strain and health issues. Despite these obstacles, he persists and eventually secures a $671 million settlement for the affected community[1][3][4][5][7][9][10][12][15][17].
- Themes and Impact: "Dark Waters" highlights the themes of corporate malfeasance, environmental pollution, and the power of community-driven action. The film underscores the significant health risks posed by "forever chemicals" like PFOA, which persist in the environment and human bodies. It also showcases the legal and personal struggles faced by those who take on powerful corporations in the fight for justice[2][5][8][13][14][18][19].
- Reception: The film received positive reviews from critics, with a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 73 out of 100 on Metacritic. It was praised for its gripping narrative, strong performances, particularly by Mark Ruffalo, and its powerful message about environmental justice. However, it was noted that the film did not receive nominations at major award ceremonies like the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, which some considered a snub[6][10][15][16].
- Real-Life Context: The story of "Dark Waters" is based on a 2016 New York Times Magazine article titled "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich. The film also draws from Bilott's memoir Exposure, which details his 20-year legal battle against DuPont. The case brought significant attention to the issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination, leading to increased regulatory scrutiny and legal actions against chemical companies[3][7][9][12][18].
- In summary, "Dark Waters" is a compelling legal thriller that sheds light on the devastating impact of corporate pollution and the relentless pursuit of justice by an unlikely hero. The film serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration for environmental activism.
- Citations:
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9071322/plotsummary/ [2] https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2019/learning-from-dark-waters-to-create-a-healthier-environment/ [3] https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/dark-waters-true-story-dupont-robert-bilott-real-mark-ruffalo-movie-401661 [4] https://blogs.iu.edu/establishingshot/2021/10/18/invisible-and-insidious-a-conversation-on-dark-waters-and-environmental-law/ [5] https://theconversation.com/dark-waters-pollution-threat-isnt-hollywood-hysteria-it-could-be-a-ticking-timebomb-worldwide-131873 [6] https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dark_waters_2019 [7] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/true-story-dark-waters-how-accurate-are-characters-1254811/ [8] https://thepublichealthinsight.com/rewind-public-health-significance-of-dark-waters/ [9] https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/06/07/dark-waters-attorney-rob-bilott-still-fighting-for-safe-water/70288211007/