Dark Waters

Director Todd Haynes’ Dark Waters is a tense drama in the vein of Historical Biographies like The Post and All the President’s Men, with the twist that it ends as a horror story, one not only for the film’s characters, but the audience, as well. 

That’s because it lets everyone know that, thanks to the Dupont Company, most all of us, not just in the U.S., but all around the world, have been poisoned with a substance that cannot be eradicated from our bodies, a substance inherent to what we know as Teflon.

Worse Things for Poisoning the Living should be the motto of this Corporation, whose greed let loose this scourge, not only for the residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia, where the ground and river water was polluted, but for everyone since, who has bought for their kitchen or has eaten in a restaurant that used Teflon non-stick pots and pans.

Thanks to real-life hero Robert Bilott, the Company’s heinous secret was uncovered and, after a 15-year legal battle, at least some of the initial victims were given some compensation for their suffering.

Having recently seen some wonderful films that brought up my spirits for the Holidays, this film has brought up my anger for the injustice done to all of us.

Producer/Actor Mark Ruffalo has delivered, not only a great performance as Bilott, but a great service to anyone ignorant of the vile workings of Dupont.  Thanks, also, to Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp and everyone who participated in this fine film.

I give Dark Waters a 4.4 out of 5.

PS: If you still have Teflon junk in your kitchen, don’t pass it on, just get rid of it.