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Minamata

2020

Andrew Levitas

Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano ...

6.1

1,258

Drama War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.

	Author	Review
United States	Peter Debruge Variety	"Impressive if somewhat less-than-nuanced (...) The undeniably compelling project resurrects a downward-sliding Johnny Depp"	POS
United States	Deborah Young The Hollywood Reporter	"Johnny Depp (...) is the most fortunate thing about 'Minamata'(...) Levitas and his co-screenwriters dramatize a riveting story using a mass of groan-worthy genre clichés that ill-serve the truth they are trying to recreate."	NEU
United Kingdom	Peter Bradshaw The Guardian	"A forthright, heartfelt movie (...) with a worthwhile story to tell (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Eric Kohn IndieWire	"An overzealous biopic (...) Smith’s photojournalism belongs in the official canon of 20th century activism (...) 'Minamata' recognizes his talent, but it adds layers of artifice to a harrowing story"	NEU
United States	Jessica Kiang The Playlist	"A timely reminder of industrial greed & Johnny Depp’s talent (...) Levitas does little to reinvent the historical fight-against-injustice wheel, but he does keep it turning smoothly"	POS
United Kingdom	Jonathan Romney Screendaily	"A serious-minded, yet narratively sluggish, cliche-laden drama (...) 'Minamata' carries some heft as an argument for the currently imperilled profession of old-school investigative journalism"	NEU
United Kingdom	Lou Thomas NME	"Sadly, 'Minamata' is yet another forgettable Depp B-movie destined for the bargain bucket (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)"	NEG
United States	John Serba Decider	"'Minamata' is a perfectly accessible, acceptable “issue” movie that might’ve enjoyed a higher profile if Depp’s public image wasn’t so scandalously crud-caked"	NEU
United States	Perri Nemiroff Collider	"It’s well paced, beautifully filmed and does have an appealing classic feel to it, but it still lacks that spark to propel it from informative to all-consuming."	NEU
	Marta Bałaga Cineuropa	"It’s an important story, told in a very unfortunate film, with Levitas always choosing the more sentimental route when given the option"	NEG

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