Minamata movie review & film summary (2022)

The script by David K. Kessler, Stephen Deuters, Jason Forman, and director Andrew Levitas—having four cooks in the kitchen here could explain the lack of stylistic and narrative cohesion—opens in New York in 1971. W. Eugene Smith (Depp) is far past his prime as a respected WWII photojournalist, haunted by what he’s seen and aware of his increasing obsolescence. He drowns his sorrows with bottles—both pill and liquor—but maintains one of his few professional relationships with Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (the always-welcome Bill Nighy, sadly reduced to a few scenes here in a journalism office).

What looks like it will be his final commission for Life sends Smith to the city of Minamata, Japan, which has been slowly poisoned for years by a company called Chisso; they've been dumping mercury into the water supply, leading to a severe neurological disease. First discovered in 1956, Minamata Disease has impacted thousands of people, and Smith goes to the prefecture to bring the story to the world and put more pressure on Chisso to do something about it. He ends up getting to know the locals there, including the woman (Minami) who convinces him to come in the first place, and overcomes his own personal demons to be an ally to those who need him.

Smith’s photojournalism gave a human edge to a horrifying story, and it’s clear that this is the aspect that most inspires Levitas, who sometimes feels like he sees a little bit of himself in Smith. Sadly, photojournalism doesn’t have the same impact it did in the print era of the ‘70s, so Levitas would likely argue that the people of Minamata need filmmakers to tell their stories now. And I bet he would make a fascinating documentary about both Smith and the people he encountered on the most important assignment of his life.