In a nutshell, director Todd Haynes' Dark Waters might seem like a standard socially conscious legal drama. It's based on the true story of attorney Robert Bilott (played by Mark Ruffalo), who spent two decades investigating and suing DuPont for dumping toxic sludge in Parkersburg, in the waters surrounding West Virginia. Evidence conclusively showed that this contamination, largely caused by the widespread use of teflon in the production of nonstick cookware, caused various deadly diseases in the region, for which a lawsuit was filed for $671 million. It took Bilot many years to prove it, and for the most part, Bilot had to face doubters on all sides.
There's a lot of stories to tell here, but it's worth mentioning that director Haynes has always focused on the central characters of the play. He (Billott) confronts his devastated townspeople with great empathy, especially when Bilot is initially hired by an increasingly ailing livestock breeder (played by Bill Camp). These people are left behind by an industrial giant who doesn't seem to care about their safety, ignoring their presence. The film also deserves credit for exploring the psychological conflicts of Bilot himself, a lawyer for a powerful chemical company, who we see endure as he pleads for his victimized townspeople. Huge pressure and huge cost.
The film is told on multiple levels. It is a detailed description of a company's wrongdoing and a real case of environmental damage, which deserves further understanding. But by focusing on the portrayal of the individual and presenting a convincing morality, "Blackwater" also serves as a powerful metaphor for those situations where perseverance and compassion move society forward.
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