A dramatization of the April 2010 disaster when the offshore drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded and created the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Director: Peter Berg
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich
Rated PG-13 for prolonged intense disaster sequences and related disturbing images
In what appears to be director Peter Berg’s new conquest of tackling true stories, “Deepwater Horizon” reunites Berg and leading actor Mark Wahlberg in the taking on of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that created the most devastating environmental disaster in U.S. history. While Berg’s “Lone Survivor” played to the patriotic sensibilities of duty and country, we see Berg expanding his horizons (no pun intended) by exploring a tragedy that sparked outrage–yes–but also left 11 men dead and families in ruin. In “Deepwater Horizon,” Berg focuses on the incident itself as well as those involved on a dramatic level. He never allows the narrative to become ham-handed or melodramatic but rather progresses it so that it is both respectful and sincere in every aspect.
On April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico near the Mississippi River Delta, an oil rig named the Deepwater Horizon exploded after a combination of mud and methane gas shot up from the well, transitioned into a gaseous state and ignited a series of explosions throughout the rig. Workers failed to cap the well, and the incident ultimately resulted in 210,000,000 gallons of oil spilled into the ocean. The subsequent investigation determined that several major factors allowed the incident to occur, and a federal judge found that oil company BP was largely responsible due to gross negligence and misconduct regarding safety.
“Deepwater Horizon” actually uses simplicity to its advantage. It details the events that took place and doesn’t allow its narrative to become any bigger than it has to be. Viewers are shown in precise detail the events that led up to the oil rig explosion, as well as the resulting aftermath both aboard the rig and following the mass departure from it. The performances of Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell are exceptional, whereas John Malkovich feels slightly miscast. Regardless, Gina Rodriguez and Dylan O’Brien deliver relatively strong performances, though Kate Hudson’s comes off as forced. The only time we see Hudson is when she is either head-over-heels for her husband or in emotional distress. Perhaps Berg is only showing us what we need to see, but this is hardly enough to make Hudson’s presence noteworthy. Her reactions are expected, quite routine and lack any form of complexity or individualism.
The movie perhaps isn’t as thought-provoking as it should be. There are a few touches here and there that seem to remind us of its impact. For instance, a bird doused in oil suddenly flies into the control room of a ship and wreaks havoc, breaking windows and flying amok, before hitting its head and falling to the floor, quietly blinking and breathing as the witnesses gradually come to terms with the severity of the situation. There are also several confrontations between BP and the rig operators that highlight corruption and profit. But the severity of the oil spill impact is left to the final moments of the film as photos of those who lost their lives flood the screen.
Once the film moves past the explosion, it turns into something reminiscent of James Cameron’s “Titanic,” only without the love story. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and, while it’s apparent that Berg expanded upon certain situations for thematic purposes, the events that unfold are chaotic to say the least, truly capturing the sensation of what it must have been like aboard the Deepwater Horizon.
“Deepwater Horizon” isn’t exactly Oscar-worthy material, yet Peter Berg has reconstructed the incident in such a way that it’s hard to dislike this film. It’s hardly sentimental. There’s a shot of the survivors praying, but in the background looms the Deepwater Horizon in flames as the structure burns brightly in the night. This film is not for anyone who is squeamish, and, frankly, the PG-13 rating is a little questionable. There are multiple scenes where, in graphic detail, characters pull out debris lodged in their bodies from the force of the explosion. But these images are constructed to remind us of the horrors that the workers went through on the Deepwater Horizon, and Berg successfully pulls it off.