Deepwater Horizon (2016)

A dramatization of the disaster in April 2010, when the offshore drilling rig called the Deepwater Horizon exploded, resulting in the worst oil spill in American history.

Director:

Peter Berg

Writers:

Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay by), Matthew Sand (screenplay by)

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Douglas M. Griffin

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Mike Williams
Kurt Russell	...	Jimmy Harrell
Douglas M. Griffin	...	Landry
James DuMont	...	O'Bryan
Joe Chrest	...	Sims
Gina Rodriguez	...	Andrea Fleytas
Brad Leland	...	Kaluza
John Malkovich	...	Vidrine
David Maldonado	...	Kuchta (as Dave Maldonado)
J.D. Evermore	...	Dewey A. Revette (as JD Evermore)
Ethan Suplee	...	Jason Anderson
Jason Pine	...	Stephen Ray Curtis
Jason Kirkpatrick	...	Aaron Dale Burkeen
Robert Walker Branchaud	...	Doug Brown
Dylan O'Brien	...	Caleb Holloway

Storyline

In April 2010, there is no oil exploration operation in the Gulf of Mexico to compare with the Deepwater Horizon oil rig with its size or sheer depth of its drilling. However, the project for the BP oil company is beset with technical difficulties to the point where the general operational supervisor, Jimmy Harrell, and his Chief Electrical Engineer, Mike Williams, are concerned potentially dangerous trouble is brewing. Unfortunately, visiting BP executives, frustrated by the project's long delays, order curtailed site inspections and slanted system tests to make up for lost time even as Harrell, Williams and his team helplessly protest for the sake of proper safety. On April 20, the workers' fears are realized in the worst possible way when the rig's various structural and system flaws spark a catastrophic cascade of failures that would create a massive blowout and explosion that threatens them all, even as it also begins the worst environmental disaster in US history.

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Plot Keywords:

disaster movie | oil rig | deepwater horizon oil spill | capitalism | capitalist bully | 

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Taglines:

Inspired by a true story of real life heroes

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for prolonged intense disaster sequences and related disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The incident was mentioned in the pilot episode of The Newsroom (2012) morning including an interview with Minerals Management Service employee who inspected the site 20 days before the accident happened.

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Goofs

When Mike Williams and Mr. Jimmy are walking out of the helicopter terminal to the helicopter pads there is a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter parked right outside the terminal with registration number - N492BG. They walk past this helicopter and far beyond it passing numerous helicopters despite the fact that the helicopter they fly to the rig on is N492BG; the first helicopter they passed.

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Quotes

Mike Williams: Hey, you know the passwords, right? Where the insurance stuff is. You know, call Schuman first.
Felicia: What are you talking about?
Mike Williams: I just...
Felicia: What are you on about?
Mike Williams: I just... I just got a little spooked on the go-home chopper last hitch. It's not... gimme some of that.
Felicia: Babe, the only time you start worrying about a Marine is when he stops bitching.
Mike Williams: Don't use my lines against me.
Felicia: I'm using your lines against you.
Mike Williams: That... don't use my lines.
Felicia: I just did.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening logos and first few opening credits, you can hear a real life audio clip from the trial that ensued following the disaster.

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Connections

Featured in Work Like an American (2017)

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Soundtracks

Take Me Down
Written and Performed by Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

User Reviews

Must be seen in the theatres! (IMAX if possible)

I usually don't write reviews but saw mostly negative reviews on here so far and that ain't right.

It is not a perfect movie and it's not artsy, or profound. However it is very entertaining, has wide appeal, will make you laugh, have you on the edge of your seat and might even make you cry. It's a slow build at the beginning but the tension soon rises and you will then be hooked. The effects appear to be realistic and mostly practical made with a production value that appears to be one of the most expensive films ever made (which alone is impressive given it is not a sequel or superhero movie).

Mark Wahlberg works as an everyman lead, but it is Kurt Russel who steals the show. Maybe the performance of his career, and the strongest aspect of the film in my opinion. Malkovich is also amazing as the villain, stealing every scene he is in. The two of them along with the incredible story done with top notch sets, effects and sound is exactly why you have to pay the money to see this on the biggest screen possible.

If you need a film to be a character study or you want senseless action from start to finish then you might be one of the people who is disappointed. But if you are looking for a gripping story with great tension and action that can be enjoyed by a wide range then go see this film.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

Hong Kong China USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Deepwater Horizon

Filming Locations:

Chalmette, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$110,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,223,544, 2 October 2016

Gross USA:

$61,433,527

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$121,790,373

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Participant, TIK Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (DTS: X) Dolby Atmos 12-Track Digital Sound (IMAX 12 track) Dolby Digital (2.0 Night Listening) IMAX 6-Track

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1