By Eddie King
Managing Editor
The harrowing tale of the largest oil spill and environmental disaster in American history is brought to life on the big screen in director Peter Berg’s newest film, “Deepwater Horizon.”
“Deepwater Horizon” chronicles the events surrounding the explosion onboard the Transocean offshore oil drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon. Thrilling and suspenseful, “Deepwater Horizon” excites from beginning to end, featuring dramatic visuals and powerful performances from its ensemble cast. However, the film fails to fully develop its characters and plot, relying too often on fast paced and hard-hitting action sequences to make up for this lack of substance.
The film begins with Transocean employees Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg), Jimmy Harrell (Kurt Russell), and Andrea Fleytas (Gina Rodriguez) preparing to board a helicopter to fly to the offshore drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon. Upon arriving, they realize most of the safety crew sent to install and check safety measures on the rig’s oil drill are being sent home by corporate giant British Petroleum (BP) in an effort to maximize profits.
Knowing they are behind schedule and over their budget, BP executives aboard the oil rig begin to rush the drilling project, glossing over key safety checks and bypassing pressure warnings sent from the drilling platform. Ignoring these signs of imminent disaster, BP’s executives force the project along, until the drilling platform suddenly explodes, forcing the 120 men and women on board to fight for survival in a sea of oil and fire.
A key component to the success of “Deepwater Horizon” is its stunning cinematography. Underwater shots of the drill pipe below the oil rig clearly detail the sequence of events leading up to the eventual explosion, making it very easy for the viewer to follow along. These images are parallelled by various shots of the blazing inferno and catastrophe occurring onboard the rig, which give the film an unrivaled, hyper-realistic feeling.
Another highlight of the film is the dramatic and powerful acting performances from Wahlberg, Rodriguez and Russell. All three execute well-rounded performances that heighten the intensity and drama in each scene. The actors’ strikingly realistic portrayal of what it was like to be on the oil rig during the explosion helps to immerse the viewer into each scene, making the film feel more tangible and relatable.
Furthermore, conveniently placed subtitles and in-depth explanations by characters help to make confusing dialogue about certain aspects of the film, such as the math and science behind the oil drilling process, easier to understand. Different parts of the oil rig are labeled and characters explain complex processes aboard the rig in detail to help ensure the film does not become convoluted with confusing information.
The film’s most obvious drawback is its lack of character and plot development. Much of the film takes place during the first hour after the explosion on Deepwater Horizon and little time is spent on the aftermath of the disaster, leaving the film without closure.
Additionally, it is hard to keep track of characters other than the three protagonists, as many are shuffled in and out very quickly with little to no explanation or background information. This aspect of the film is disappointing as it becomes difficult to relate to or become emotionally invested in any of the characters besides the three protagonists.
Overall, “Deepwater Horizon” is a thrilling account of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The film’s aesthetically pleasing visuals and dramatic acting performances overshadow its flaws, securing its place among the best in the biopic, non-fiction film genre.
“Deepwater Horizon” is rated PG-13 and is now playing in theaters nationwide.
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