Minamata

Name: Minamata
Genre: Drama
Released: February 11, 2022
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Akiko Iwase, Bill Nighy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Johnny Depp, Jun Kunimura

2022

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings

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Minamata (US Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: February 11, 2022 | R

Starring: Akiko Iwase, Bill Nighy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Johnny Depp, Jun Kunimura, Katherine Jenkins, Kogarashi Wakasugi, Lily Robinson, Masayoshi Haneda, Minami, Muneaki Kitsukawa, Nikaru Inagawa, Ryo Kase, Sonata Molocajeviene, Tadanobu Asano, Yosuke Hosoi

Summary: Celebrated war photographer W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) goes against a powerful corporation responsible for poisoning the people of Minamata, Japan in 1971. With the glory days of World War II far behind him, Smith has become a recluse. Between an impassioned Japanese translator called Aileen (Minami) urging him to go and a much neededCelebrated war photographer W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) goes against a powerful corporation responsible for poisoning the people of Minamata, Japan in 1971. With the glory days of World War II far behind him, Smith has become a recluse. Between an impassioned Japanese translator called Aileen (Minami) urging him to go and a much needed commission from "Life" Magazine editor Ralph Graves (Bill Nighy), Smith is finally convinced to journey back to Japan to expose the devastating annihilation of a coastal community, victims of corporate greed and complicit local police and government. Armed with only his trusted Nikon camera, Smith must find the images that will bring this story to the World.… Expand

Director: Andrew Levitas

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

Richard Whittaker

Feb 10, 2022

In its dour and often depressing depiction of environmental struggle, 1970s-set true-life pollution drama Minimata would pair well with Todd Haynes’ Dark Waters. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Feb 28, 2020

Depp plays it surly throughout, dominating those around him, but Minami has a strong screen presence as well (despite struggling somewhat with the dialogue in her first English-language role). As Aileen, she needs only to look at Gene, and he will yield to her demands. The two characters read as equals here, despite their polar-opposite personalities, and that unusual chemistry fuels the dangerous reporting ahead of them. Read full review

Noel Murray

Feb 10, 2022

Like Smith’s pictures, this movie is direct, compelling and hard to dismiss. Read full review

Alex Saveliev

Feb 15, 2022

Coupled with a few inspired moments and an earnestness that’s hard to dismiss, the film manages, just barely, to stand out from the rest. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Apr 4, 2022

The trouble starts with the script, which wobbles between an investigative thriller and a psychological study. Read full review

Jonathan Romney

Feb 28, 2020

Altogether solemn in tone, the film is undeniably handsome, with DoP Benoît Delhomme steeping the Japanese landscape in melancholy atmospherics, but Minimata tends to over-aestheticise its material, not least in the too-elegant recreations of Smith’s black and white imagery. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Feb 28, 2020

The film isn’t a write-off – well-handled, it could have had the sober dramatic voltage of Todd Haynes’s Dark Waters, which relates a now-familiar story of corporate malfeasance in a different place and time. The problems are of style, focus and intent. Read full review

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User Reviews

NathanThwaites

Aug 14, 2021

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 wrappedIncredible 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Matinsaleki

Jul 15, 2021

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!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Pariadepp6300

Jun 13, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie was able to depict the incident well. Johnny Depp was also able to play his role very well… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

soundjam

Aug 26, 2021

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rubreveur24

Feb 12, 2021

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

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Lissss

Jun 7, 2021

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

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Aug 14, 2021

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 goodMinamata 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.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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