Dark Waters is a film based on a true environmental legal battle and the personal transformation of lawyer Robert Bilott, who is at the center of this struggle. Directed by Todd Haynes, the film features Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott. The screenplay, written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, is adapted from an article by Nathaniel Rich published in The New York Times Magazine.
Plot
Dark Waters recounts a real-life case involving the chemical giant DuPont and its pollution of drinking water in West Virginia. The story begins in 1998 when Robert Bilott, a corporate lawyer who had long defended chemical companies, is approached by a farmer named Wilbur Tennant. Tennant claims that DuPont has contaminated the local water supply near his farm with a toxic chemical called PFOA, used in the production of Teflon. As Bilott investigates the claims, he uncovers internal company documents showing that DuPont had long been aware of the harmful effects of this substance.
Throughout the film, Bilott battles not only DuPont but also the local authorities who appear complicit in the cover-up. Risking his career, he files a major class-action lawsuit representing approximately 70,000 people. After years of legal proceedings, the case concluded in 2017 with a settlement of $671 million awarded to over 3,500 victims. The film also highlights the widespread use of PFAS chemicals, their potential health risks, and the ongoing legal efforts against them. More than just a depiction of an environmental scandal, Dark Waters portrays a narrative of personal conviction and the pursuit of justice.
Themes
- Environmental and public health: Long-term effects of chemical pollution on living organisms.
- Corporate crime and impunity: How corporate misconduct can be hidden for years.
- Individual resistance: Bilott’s pursuit of justice at great personal and professional risk.
- The power of truth: The importance of public awareness and access to information.
Cast and Characters
- Mark Ruffalo – Robert Bilott
- Anne Hathaway – Sarah Barlage Bilott
- Tim Robbins – Tom Terp
- Bill Camp – Wilbur Tennant
- Victor Garber – Phil Donnelly
- Mare Winningham – Darlene Kiger
- William Jackson Harper – James Ross
- Bill Pullman – Harry Deitzler
Awards and Nominations
- César Awards, France (2021): Nominee, Best Foreign Film
- Satellite Awards (2019): Mark Ruffalo nominated for Best Actor in a Drama
- Satellite Awards (2019): Matthew Michael Carnahan nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay
- Humanitas Prize (2020): Nominee, Drama Feature Film
- USC Scripter Awards (2020): Nominee, Feature Film
- Cinema for Peace Awards (2020): Nominee, Justice Award
- Turkish Film Critics Association (SIYAD) Awards (2020): Nominee, Best Foreign Film
- Women Film Critics Circle Awards (2019): Mark Ruffalo nominated for Best Male Actor
- Hawaii Film Critics Society (2020): Nominee, Best Adapted Screenplay
Significance
Dark Waters highlights a prolonged legal battle over environmental pollution and its effects on human health. The film sheds light on how chemical companies concealed the dangers of toxic substances and how their widespread use led to long-term health consequences. It also emphasizes environmental and social accountability, the role of legal advocacy, and the importance of scientific evidence in confronting industrial misconduct.
