Dark Waters (2019)

I mentioned to some co-workers I saw the new movie Dark Waters over the weekend, and they in turn reminded me that this is not the first time actor Mark Ruffalo has been in a movie about a Dupont. Now, I haven’t seen Foxcatcher, but they gave it a good endorsement so I’ll make a note on seeing at some point in the near future.

But in the meantime, I did see Dark Waters.

Dark Waters tells the true story of Robert Bilott. Rob made partner at his law firm, a company that specialized in corporate defense, sometime in the late 90s by mostly keeping his head down and doing his work. However, his West Virginia grandmother referenced an acquaintance his way about suspected chemical dumping into his water, poisoning most of his cattle herd. Though it isn’t Rob’s area of expetise–indeed, Rob usually is the sort of lawyer who would defend the company the farmer suspects ruined his land–he does decide to look into the case and see what’s what. And, sure enough, there is strong evidence there to show that the local chemical plant has knowingly been dumping toxins into the farmer’s water supply.

One problem: the chemical company in question is Dupont, one of if not the largest chemical manufacturers in the country, and the employer of most of the local population. Is Rob prepared to go up against a company with far, far more resources than either Rob or his entire firm can put together?

As stated, Dark Waters is based on a true story. The real Rob Bilott and his wife do appear in the movie as extras at a banquet scene, as do other people associated with the case. So, that should clue the audience in as to whether or not Rob will win the day, but this is one of those cases where not knowing much about the case can help. The resolution to the lawsuit Rob eventually files takes years to finish, symbolized by how Rob’s family grows and grows up, often seen in the hair style sported by his wife Sarah (Anne Hathaway), the car he drives, how many kids he has and how old they are. It’s not much of a surprise that a large corporation like Dupont is used to getting its own way by using its vast resources to wear an opponent without the same resources out. Everytime it looks like Rob is getting somewhere, Dupont changes the rules to its own favor. It would take a person of extreme dedication and fortitude to keep something like that going.

And it seems to come from the unlikeliest of places. Beyond being someone who typically defends companies like Dupont, Ruffalo often looks just plain put upon. Rob makes partner in part by keeping his head down, but Ruffalo seems to wear suits a little too big, such that he looks somewhat hunched over and smaller as a result. And the case does not, for a minute, go easy on him as it affects his career, health, and marriage. Hathaway’s Sarah and Rob’s boss (Tim Robbins) are both often highly supportive of Rob’s efforts, listening to what he’s found and being as horrified as he is, but they also both, perhaps like Dupont wants, show signs throughout the movie of wanting Rob to maybe cut his loses and move on. It seems like Rob himself may have been the only person willing to actually carry things as far as possible.

Director Todd Haynes does a few things that also move the story along. Given the problem is the water supply, there are many shots of pitchers full of water, people getting drinks from the tap, and so forth. Water is everywhere, and when water is the problem, that can be a rather ominous symbol. That said, the script also seems to rely heavily on coincidence. Things often just fall into Rob’s lap at the exact right moment to keep things going or remind Rob why he does what he does.

Still, this is one of those movies that reminds people to fight the good fight, and it’s told in a compelling manner. We need more Robs in this world, and it’s good to recognize them when they appear.

Grade: A-