Deep Water Horizon attempts to tell the other side of the story

SECUNDA – Based on the terrible events of the Deep Water Horizon offshore drilling platform oil spill that began on 20 April 2010 in the gulf of Mexico, this movie attempts to tell the other side of the story, but does not shy away from the ecologically devastating nature of this disaster.

Directed by Peter Berg, his trademark single minded dedication to a project he feels passionate about, could have been the saving grace of this film.

This is not the case.

Whether through the subject matter, or because of directing or acting this film does feel almost like an obligation.

Maybe someone holds a score card somewhere in a Hollywood production office, ticking off the days until a film can be made about a disaster, and the 2010 oil spill just came up.

It does not feel like a film that was created out of a burning passion to relive and retell the finer points of the protracted disaster.

The exposition is rushed, because audiences need to get to know and form an emotional bond with the crew of the rig before all hell breaks loose and oil, mud, water and fire begin making sensible dialogue impossible.

We meet Mike Williams and his wife, played by Mark Wahlberg and Kate Hudson, as well as some other crew members who include Mr Jimmy played by Kurt Russell and one of its rookies, Andrea Fleytas, played by Gina Rodriguez.

John Malkovich does a good job as Donald Vidrine, the embodiment of corporate evil and one of the many faceless BP executives who always seem to be a day late and a dollar short with their solutions.

From the initial exposition period, it becomes obvious that the business of off shore drilling is technically challenging with a magnitude of things that could go horribly wrong.

Add to that the fact that the equipment on the rig is in a horrendous state of disrepair, and the fatal accident seems nearly inevitable.

Although those in the business of drilling might admire the technically correct dialogue, it does make for some pretty uninteresting scenes, and it does not help to endear the characters at all.

Without the strong emotional bond that has you rooting for a character’s survival, the second part of the film where Wahlberg and Russle attempt to get themselves and as many other employees to safety, feels like you are watching athletes navigate a stunt ridden gauntlet or obstacle course.

The action sequences are impressive though and the environment of a failing oil rig with the inherent dangers of drowning, fire and structural collapse does create opportunities for some truly horrific scenes.

As a chance to make a piece of history into art and give back to the community that was so terribly impacted by the tragedy, this film falls a bit flat.

The truth is that money and financial gain took precedence above safety and the fact that so many people actually made it out alive is miraculous.

If the film had maybe taken more care with the impact on all living things caused by the business of off shore drilling, and then by the aforementioned inevitable collapse of the system, instead of spending most of its budget on explosions and flying bodies, it might have told a whole different and much deeper story.

Watch the film, but do the research as well and make sure that the full impact of this tragedy does not disappear in the flames, smoke and sea spray.