User Reviews

Fantastic poignant movie,with Depp in one of his finest roles.

This movie crushed me. From about the halfway point until the end, I could not stop crying. The environmental tragedy meticulously detailed in this absorbing drama effects every single person on this planet. To nitpick about the film's flaws, or to complain about the perceived morality of its main actor/producer, is to miss an important message about the future of humanity. A must-watch.

No matter how old and detached we may get, it's never too late to redeem ourselves, especially in the name of a just cause. So it was in 1971 for acclaimed wartime photojournalist W. Eugene Smith, who had fallen on hard times and faded from the public eye, despite his many accomplishments. However, when an opportunity arose to go to Japan on assignment for Life magazine to document the suffering of residents of the fishing village of Minamata, whose waters had become poisoned with mercury and caused many to fall ill over a course of 15 years (a sickness that had come to be known as "Minimata disease"), he jumped on the chance to cover an ongoing uncontrolled tragedy that had been significantly underreported. This fact-based film thus follows Smith as he seeks to expose the acts of a powerful and corrupt corporation attempting to duck its responsibilities while battling his own personal demons, undertakings that offer the possibility of redemption on both fronts. In doing so, director Andrew Levitas presents viewers with a classic "issues film" much in the same vein as "Erin Brockovich" (2000) and "Dark Waters" (2019), focusing on the personal angle of this catastrophe, showing its impact on the protagonist and victims in graphic yet heart-tugging terms. Admittedly, the tone can be somewhat heavy-handed at times, but this is compensated for by the picture's gorgeous cinematography, its superb Ryiuchi Sakamoto background score, and the fine lead performance of Johnny Depp, who turns in some of the best work he's done in years. Indeed, despite the film's tendency to preach, its message is nevertheless important -- one that probably can't be overstated in light of its impact and magnitude (and as only one example of many such ecological disasters that have occurred globally, as depicted in a montage of comparable events shown over the closing credits). This is genuinely something we must all remain diligent about, and, thankfully, that cause can be furthered by efforts like those shown here, reminding us that this planet is our home and deserves the kind of protection that so many others are willing to deliberately ignore.

Johnny Depp is awesome this movie deserves an oscar . I think Hollywood has to get back to Johnny, he deserves it, he's a great actor and he's gotten very serious in Minamata. He has done his job very well, they must give him another chance.

If you want a movie that will stop you in your tracks and question everything about, well, everything (without giving too much away) that will literally leave you speechless. Then this is the for movie for you. Johnny Depp deserves every possible award for his performance in this film. It's powerful.

(Mauro Lanari) Ecological quixotism is mocked by the movie itself on the end credits, or by those who keep themselves informed about environmentalism. It is the protagonist who reminds us of the need not for a simplistic and impromptu cure but for a "final solution" (Pere Ubu 1985: "Disturb only to announce the second coming of Christ!", and it's fascinating his consideration on photography, which would steal a slice of the soul not only of those who are framed but also of those who take the picture, until they reach a PTSD.

Фильм просто супер. Сюжет и игра Джонни Деппа просто великолепны. А псевдо критикам надо бы подлечить голову и делать справедливы обзоры, а не следовать повестке. Долой культуру отмены!

A solid movie with a great performance from Johnny Depp. I wish the plot would've been better and stronger at crucial moments of the story. Soundtrack in general is perfect, beautifully flows with the plot of the movie.

Such a great movie, Johnny Depp was as always an inedible actor. Deserves an Oscar!

Incredible film. The cinematography was great, so many good shots and impressive use of lighting. The direction was clear (no idea where any demands for more action could come from) and was paced well - never felt like any scene was misplaced or unimportant. The score beautifully wrapped around the entire film and every piece of music fit the scene perfectly. All performances were great, appears that all the actors had incredible respect for the real world story and people that this film is based on. Very moving and poignant at times. Really would recommend.

Minamata is weak despite the good things that get out of its subject matter. There are certain things that work, and many others that don't, which is a shame considering how much serious journalism needs to be vindicated in the era of ''fake news'' in social media. Johnny Depp does a good job, especially in the characterization, and I guess these will be the kind of movies where we'll be seeing him considering he's banned from blockbusters right now.

Minamata,The best drama movie of the last few years And showing one of the best forms of acting and directing in a drama film in recent years. The movie was really good and Johnny Depp was great as always!

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Fantastic movie. Had never heard about what happened. Beautifully told and acted.

A movie with a great backstory. Great performance by Jhonny and the other cast.

EXCELENTE PELÍCULA. ME ENCANTÓ, LA ACTUACIÓN DE DEEP ES IMPECABLE COMO SIEMPRE. SIN DUDAS LA RECOMIENDO..

Such a great movie, Johnny Depp was as always an inedible actor. Deserves an Oscar!