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Review: Crude

Quietly compelling
By BRETT MICHEL  |  August 10, 2009
3.0 3.0 Stars

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Joe Berlinger hit bottom with 2000's Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2. Now, after years of working in TV, he returns with a documentary that follows through on the promise of 1992's Brother's Keeper. Few will be familiar with the plight of the 30,000 Ecuadorians who filed a class-action lawsuit in the US against Texaco in 1993, but Berlinger paints a vivid portrait of the Amazonians who've suffered 30 years of what they maintain to be cancer-causing oil spills in their water supply. When Chevron merged with Texaco, in 2001, they succeeded in moving the case to Ecuador, where the trial is now under way. Although American lawyer and publicity hound Steven Donziger attracts the likes of Trudie Styler, it's Pablo Fajardo who quietly compels as the David who's taking on Goliath.

BRATTLE THEATRE: APRIL 25 at NOON

Related: Review: Pontypool, Review: Still Walking, Review: Trinidad, More more >
  Topics: Reviews , Health and Fitness, Medicine, Trials,  More more >
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ARTICLES BY BRETT MICHEL
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  •   REVIEW: FOR GREATER GLORY  |  May 29, 2012
    Bring coffee, because director Dean Wright's dramatization of the 3-year-long Cristero War (1926-9) seems to last longer than the Mexican conflict itself.
  •   REVIEW: GIRL IN PROGRESS  |  May 15, 2012
    As rites of passage go, Girl in Progress is a step backward for the genre.
  •   REVIEW: FIRST POSITION  |  May 10, 2012
    While not the most probing look at rising stars, Bess Kargman's documentary focuses on six aspiring contestants preparing for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix competition (a proven entry point into the world of professional ballet) who demonstrate dazzling talent.
  •   REVIEW: THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL  |  May 03, 2012
    Filled with Indian (and British) clichés, it is nonetheless a pleasant diversion that doesn't involve special effects or 3D glasses.
  •   REVIEW: BLUE LIKE JAZZ  |  April 12, 2012
    A faith-based film directed by Christian recording artist Steve Taylor, adapted by Taylor and Donald Miller from the latter's 2003 memoir, this micro-budgeted indie tries to appeal to everyone by not offending anyone . . . except those who like movies.

 See all articles by: BRETT MICHEL



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