‘Masterpiece’ film based on harrowing true-life events airing on BBC now | Films | Entertainment

Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo features in Dark Waters, which is being broadcast on the BBC this week. Released in 2019 and helmed by Todd Haynes, the film chronicles the true story of lawyer Robert Bilott, whose probe into a multinational corporation uncovers a profoundly disturbing cover-up with devastating ramifications.

Penned by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, the film takes its inspiration from Nathaniel Rich’s 2016 New York Times Magazine piece, The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare. With Mark heading up the cast, the film already boasts significant credentials, but it’s further elevated by turns from Anne Hathaway and Victor Garber. Those who appreciate captivating real-life dramas and whistleblower tales such as Spotlight, The Post and Dirty Business are bound to find Dark Waters highly engrossing.

The film centres on the true account of a tenacious lawyer who unearths a concealed scandal connecting a string of unexplained deaths to an influential multinational corporation, reports the Mirror.

The synopsis for the film reads as follows: “Corporate environmental defence attorney Rob Bilott has just made partner at his prestigious Cincinnati law firm, in large part due to his work defending Big Chem companies.

“He finds himself conflicted after he’s contacted by two West Virginia farmers who believe that the local DuPont plant is dumping toxic waste in the area landfill that is destroying their fields and killing their cattle.

“Hoping to learn the truth about just what is happening, Bilott, with help from his supervising partner in the firm, Tom Terp, files a complaint that marks the beginning of an epic 15-year fight – one that will not only test his relationship with his wife, Sarah but also his reputation, his health and his livelihood.”

Upon its initial release, cinema-goers hailed the film as “spectacular”. Another said: “Excellent story. Very well acted. Mark Ruffalo deserves an Oscar.”

During an appearance on The View in 2019, Mark Ruffalo discussed the disturbing reality underpinning the true events which formed the basis of the film.

He said: “It’s probably one of the greatest cover-ups in American history, and it affects everyone in the world now, and nobody knows about it.”

Dark Waters is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.