“Deepwater Horizon” recreates the devastating environmental oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico so expertly that you can almost feel the heat from the flames burning on the water. This intense action film based on true events, starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, and Dylan O’Brian brings you behind the scenes leading up to this monumental disaster. Written by Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sand, and directed by Peter Berg, you will not only learn the inside story of what happened that day, but perhaps you’ll take a closer look at our environmental policies and fuel consumption. But if that’s not your thing, you’ll love the high action and suspense this film brings.
The story is true. On April 20, 2010, British Petroleum’s oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon, drilled 3.5 miles down into the ocean’s floor. Due to human error, greed, and negligence, the rig blew, killing 11 crew members and creating negative environmental consequences that still effect us today. The film doesn’t preach this aspect of the story. In fact, at the surface (pun intended), this is just a suspenseful, high action, sometimes gory movie with lots of explosions and daring attempts to rescue and/or escape from the situation. We are also briefly privy to the meaningful family relationships of Mike Williams (Wahlberg) and Felicia (
Hudson), allowing us to more readily identify with the characters who are in peril. It’s truly a dual level story that is mesmerizing, and if you allow it to be (and necessarily so), it’s also angering.
Wahlberg plays the everyday man: hard working, loyal, dedicated husband and father. His integrity and honesty with an ability to be liked by everyone, shines in the face of disaster. Wahlberg seems a natural fit for this role, carving out this ordinary, yet extraordinary man who could be your neighbor. Russell portrays the real life Jimmy Harrell, the operations manager of the rig. He has that experienced and rugged look that makes you immediately trust what he says. Knowing that these actors are portraying real men, brings their performances to an even higher level. John Malkovich shines as the BP head honcho whose inexperience in the field ultimately jeopardizes lives. He is the consummate wolf in sheep’s clothing. Using expressions and a manner of speaking only Malkovich could utter, he creates a very unlikeable bad guy. His “Malcovich-Louisiana-speak” is the icing on the cake to make him a condescending, pompous blockhead.
“Deepwater Horizon” lays the foundation for what’s to come in obvious yet creative ways. The impending doom is visual and visceral as w
e see everyone filling their cars with gas, the deafening, muffled banging of the drill into the ocean, and the push and pull between the characters and their knowledge. Although we all know the end result of this “accident,” we don’t know the details and that’s what makes you catch your breath and hope for the best for each of the characters in the film. Harnessing the fear and the courage of each of them is what “Deepwater Horizon” does best. With amazing stunt work, realistic explosions, and a script that is captivating, this film has it all.
“Deepwater Horizon” is a film that is a must-see. Yes, there is a message here, and a strong one, if you want to hear it. Bringing this message to the masses in the form of a blockbuster Hollywood movie is a genius move for those who love intense action films and for those who want to know about just one monumental environmental disaster. Stay for the credits as we get to meet the real heroes, some who lost their lives, and others who lived to tell the story.
4 STARS because we need to care about our Earth!