Peter Berg’s disaster drama brings impressive action, but not enough character.
In the modern film industry, tragic and dramatic real world events are so frequently adapted into big budget spectacles that we rarely think about why. Is it to offer the vicarious thrills of watching something terrifying be recreated from the safety of a movie theater? Or is it so the creators can put human faces on those affected by the events? Or maybe it’s making a larger political statement on the meaning? The new film Deepwater Horizon attempts to do a little of all these with the 2011 Louisiana oil disaster, but never commits enough to one reason explain its need for existing.
Peter Berg’s retelling of the disaster focuses on the drill workers and engineers aboard BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The film primarily follows family man and chief electronics technician Mike Williams (Mark Whalberg) as he arrives on the rig with his installation manager (Kurt Russell) and safety systems operator (Gina Rodriguez). From the moment they arrive, technical issues begin affecting Deepwater, but they are pressured nonetheless by BP to move forward after already falling 43 days behind schedule. When a pressure-fueled explosion strikes, Williams and the crew face horrific conditions as they attempt to save as many of 126 crewmembers on board as they can.
The film does well capturing the propulsive excitement of the rig’s explosion and demonstrating the discombobulating experience of Williams’ rescue attempt. The film is at its most captivating the moment it finally gives into its disaster thriller nature, even if it does struggle to distinguish itself stylistically from similar genre entries. Perhaps the film’s biggest issue is a script (from Mathew Michael Carnahan and Mathew Sand) that seemingly chooses to prioritize providing exposition and foreshadowing over defining its characters. While we get a glimpse of Williams’ home life in scenes with his wife Felicia (Kate Hudson) and daughter, we get precious little on the other major characters or their personal relationships with their fellow crewmembers. And while John Malkovich provides a compelling sleaziness to his character BP executive character, the film fails to offer any truly new or surprising info on the company’s infamous negligence to feel significant.
On a craft level, Berg impressively creates what feels like a realistic depiction of the explosion. Unfortunately as a result, the action in the film’s second half is often extremely difficult to follow, with it often seeming unclear whether or not characters have already died or found safety. While not necessarily the best showcase for the ensemble’s talents, performers like Whalberg and Rodriguez do nice work when given the opportunity to show emotion.
Overall Deepwater is never worse than a “fine” movie, one that can hold your attention, but never truly makes an impact. And while the action may be enough for some, the hints of nobler intentions can’t help but make it seem all the more disappointing for it never quite going deep enough.
Release date: September 30, 2016
-Nathan Braun
