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

Trace Adkins: as the large, angry man looking for his son. Prior to becoming a professional singer, Adkins was an oilfield worker for Global Marine/Transocean.

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Goofs

The keyboard on the desk at Ensign's desk features the Windows 8 logo, which was released in 2012, two years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

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Quotes

Sydney: My dad is Mike. He works on a drilling rig that pumps oil out from underneath the ocean.
Mike Williams: No, no, the Deepwater doesn't pump a drop of oil, okay, baby? We're the explorers.
Sydney: So my dad and his friends find the oil. And then put in all the plumbing so other lamer crews can come in...
Felicia: Don't say "lamer".
Mike Williams: [whispering] They are lamer.
[louder]
Mike Williams: Okay, but listen, even those lamer dudes, they don't have to pump anything, remember? Because that oil wants to come rushing up naturally...
Sydney: No, no, no, shh!
Mike Williams: All ...
[...]

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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

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Martin Short/Gina Rodriguez/Spoon (2017)

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Soundtracks

For the Love of Money
Written by Kenny Gamble (as Kenneth Gamble), Leon Huff and Anthony Jackson

User Reviews

A journey into areas we don't often see...

I read the reviews before I watched it, Generally, an over 7 is usually a decent movie and you won't be disappointed.

I like the technology and the Rig speak, which for guys that work with their hands, just sounds right to the ear.

These guys did a good job of portraying a Gulf of Mexico type Roughneck...Having spent 6 months in Biloxi, you meet the type...A quiet dignity and hellraisers when they're off...You have to respect the intricacies of the work these men do to keep us moving...

I really liked Malkovich's role, he put some meat on that bone; :)...Of course Wahlberg is good in his role too...Nice to see Kurt keeping up too...

If you're looking for subtlety and nuance, this is NOT the type of movie you should watch...If you enjoy watching men risk their lives to serve the nation's energy requirements and the sacrifices and sometimes the ultimate sacrifices, all in the name of the job; you'll be glad you saw it...

Respect to all whose job can kill you...Stay safe.

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