THE DEVIL HAS A NAME
US, 2019, 97 minutes, Colour.
Kate Bosworth, David Strathaiarn, Martin Sheen, Edward James Olmos, Alfred Molina, Rob Moran, or Pablo Schreiber, Kathleen Quinlan, Haley Joel Osment, Katie Aselton.
Directed by Edward James Olmos.
This is a film about industrial pollution, specifically oil companies and the residues from their processes, the contamination of farmers’ subsoil water. We are in something of Erin Brockovich causes.
However, there is more focus on the company, presided over by Alfred Molina, a smug CEO with no moral conscience. A young woman, Gigi, tough Kate Bosworth, an executive in the company, is called to give an account of an operation that seems to have gone wrong. The audience with the executives forms the framework of the drama, her flashback narration of the events and her interpretation.
The film is something for a star vehicle for David Strathairn, veteran of many films and character performances over the decades. He is a local farmer, working with his Hispanic foreman, Santi, Edward James Olmos, for 30 years. (The cause must be important for Olmos as he has also directed the film.)
There are double dealings throughout the film, especially with the members of the oil company, language about the devil and deals. Chief amongst these is Pablo Schreiber as an ambitious and unscrupulous outsider Ezekiel, who wants in. Someone who is used by both Gigi and Ezekiel is a go getting young man, Alex, played by Haley Joel Osment.
The film becomes something of a court case drama with Martin Sheen as the prosecuting lawyer, a man with a solid reputation and integrity.
When the case is almost lost, there is some wheeling and dealing, Gigi, becoming more dependent on alcohol, outwitting Ezekiel and giving testimony in the case that condemns the company – working on the principle that it is cheaper for things to keep going as they are and pay off any situations arising.
The film does not have the dramatic excitement of Erin Brockovich but is a contribution to the continued consciousness of the need for environmental protection in the United States.
- The title, good and evil, capitalistic business, diabolical plans and execution?
- Texas and California, Houston and offices, the Central Valley of California, crops of fruit and nuts, oil companies, stagnant pools, water poisoning, the effect on farmers? Legislation, court cases, decisions?
- The framework of the film, Gigi and her being summoned, disliked, the confrontation with the three bosses, a narrative of her behaviour, Fred Stearns and his case, her own participation, her gradual domination, challenge to the boss, his standing down, her taking over?
- Fred Stearns, his farm, fruit and nuts, hitting his golf ball, 30 years of working with Santi, the visualising of the poison, the oil drops in the water, contamination of the water, the pools? The threat to Fred? Support of Santi, his anarchist ideas?
- Shore Oil, the approach, Gigi and her executive role, her contact with Alex, persuading him to do the persuasion, her being in the background? The presence of Ezekiel, his influence, plots, getting Alex on his side? Her drinking more? Her seeming defeat? Her obsession with her carpet? The challenge to Ezekiel, Battle of wits? The deal with Fred, her giving testimony, denouncing the company? Confronting Ezekiel, shooting him, his shock, his being buried under the earth works? Her return to Houston? Telling her story, her winning out in the end?
- Fred, age, the death of his wife, her paintings, the hopes for the yacht and sailing around the world? The visit with Alex, the meal, Santi and his scepticism? Fred and the $50,000, talking about $70,000? His change of heart? His visit to Ralph?
- Ralph, legal background, reputation, dragonslayer? The discussions with Fred, the challenge as to whether he wanted money? Taking on the case? His performance in the court, Time out at the toilet, his questions, Alex and his arrogant behaviour and answers? The defence lawyer and her stances? Becoming disillusioned with Fred, Fred and his plea and apology, the question for Gigi? In court, Ralph not quite knowing what it happened? Fred and his gift of the statue of the Eiffel Tower?
- Ezekiel, his personality, intruding into Fred’s home, his stammer, then his real colours, the threats, his plans, the bosses in Houston, the nightclub sequences, the clashes with Gigi, discovering Alex, the gun, having power over him? Gigi finally confronting Ezekiel, wits, shooting him, his being buried in the rubble?
- Alex, go-getter, turncoat, fears, his arrogant answers in court, Gigi and her answers, his anger, erupting, the arrest?
- The sequel, setting up the situation with Santi, the fight, recording it, illegal immigrant, in prison? Fred’s visit, the tension?
- The case in Fred’s favour, public opinion? The yacht, sailing, Santi joining him?
- The epilogue, the situation with oil and contamination continuing?
