‘The Great Invisible’: Deepwater Horizon doc an opening salvo

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, December 10, 2014 8:21pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Is a documentary an information-delivery system, or a work of art? This question keeps dogging the makers of nonfiction films, and director Margaret Brown takes a stab at having it both ways in “The Great Invisible.”

Brown, who made the affecting 2004 portrait “Be Here to Love Me: A Film about Townes Van Zandt,” has here tackled the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. And, most importantly, its aftermath.

Brown does due diligence in reminding us of the devastating 2010 explosion at the offshore oil rig, which killed 11 workers and caused extensive damage to the ecosystem of that part of the Gulf of Mexico. One of the film’s eeriest tools is home-movie footage shot on the rig before the disaster, a cheerful tour through the state-of-the-art (but still dangerous) structure.

This is a prelude to the film’s real subject, which is how things are going four years after the incident. Much was made at the time of oil giant BP’s announcement to set aside many billions for compensation, a bold move that was supposed to avoid the kind of litigation (still ongoing) from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill.

Nobody seems too happy; BP has been complaining about payments made to undeserving claimants (Brown doesn’t cover this in the film), but “The Great Invisible” finds a number of people who have yet to receive compensation. Brown focuses on specific individuals, including workers from the oil rig whose injuries — including post-traumatic stress — are left unresolved even now.

Just as poignant is the glimpse into tiny Bayou La Batre, Alabama, where hesitant locals appear overwhelmed by the paperwork and bureaucracy connected to claiming reparations for the harm to their seafood industries.

At least one great character study emerges: Roosevelt Harris, an indomitably upbeat gentleman who helps the scattered rural folk claim their just due. Along with this material, Brown includes some haunting images of the landscape, yet “The Great Invisible” doesn’t entirely succeed as either journalism or poetry.

This saga is still unfolding, and while the film will likely serve as a reminder of a forgotten crisis, it feels like an opening salvo, not the definitive word. Even the wealthy oilmen who somehow agreed to let Brown eavesdrop on their conversation (in which they come close to acknowledging that they don’t know what to do about oil, either) are being overtaken by time; the recent drop in gas prices might have them slowing their intake of cigars and whiskey.

“The Great Invisible” (2 1/2 stars)

Documentary look at the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and what’s been happening (or not happening) since. Director Margaret Brown finds some good character studies, although the movie is only the first chapter in an unfolding story.

Rating: PG-13, for subject matter

Showing: Harvard Exit

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.