The greatest power of the photographic image is its function in affecting social change, a phenomenon that only persists and grows with the proliferation of cameras in every hand at all times. But with great power comes great responsibility, they say, a conundrum explored in Andrew Levitas’ “Minamata,” the story of legendary photojournalist W. Eugene Smith and his experiences photographing the effect of toxic mercury poisoning in Japan.
Writers Levitas, David Kessler, Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman fudge the facts just a bit to craft this biopic of Smith, played here by a grizzled Johnny Depp, and the result is something akin to “Erin Brockovich” by way of “A Private War,” with a dash of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” for flavor. (Depp’s Smith has the same fondness for accessories and methamphetamine that his Hunter S. Thompson did.)
We pick up with Smith in 1971; he’s feuding with...
Writers Levitas, David Kessler, Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman fudge the facts just a bit to craft this biopic of Smith, played here by a grizzled Johnny Depp, and the result is something akin to “Erin Brockovich” by way of “A Private War,” with a dash of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” for flavor. (Depp’s Smith has the same fondness for accessories and methamphetamine that his Hunter S. Thompson did.)
We pick up with Smith in 1971; he’s feuding with...
- 2/10/2022
- by Katie Walsh
- The Wrap
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