Golias

A French chemical company is selling a pesticide that has worrying effects. Three people become entangled in a subliminal battle for the power of interpretation. Unfortunately it's not a new story, but one that has been with us repeatedly for what feels like five decades! But telling such stories remains an important necessity, whether it's about Monsanto and glyphosate, groundwater pollution (ERIN BROCKOVICH) or addictive cigarette companies (THE INSIDER).

Gilles LELLOUCHE as a patient lawyer, Emmanuelle BERCOT as a combative teacher and Pierre NINEY (again: GREAT!!!) as an unscrupulous lobbyist are entangled in the dispute over a toxic pesticide. This is less about tension and more about the difficulty of the level.

But it is interesting to see how naturally lobbyists like the one played by NINEY use internet trolls to destroy opponents. Whether a superstar like Ariana GRANDE can enjoy selling expensive concert tickets to such a wealthy parasite is another matter. But that's just how business works!

780,000 admissions in French cinemas, $5.767 million in the box office worldwide!

Excellent movie. It has several important and subtle details that only keen eyes can connect. Luckily it completely anguished me from start to finish. The construction of the characters, the relationship with the unfortunate reality, the performance of the actors, the colors, the camera movements. Nothing is by chance, each scene brings a deeper reflection, we just need to know how to read that. A true work of art, congratulations to all involved.

Frederic Tellier had used us to great films and topics, and this one proves what I just say. This is a thrilling drama and not a thriller. It is gripping, disturbing because it opens our eyes for those who don't know anything about the danger of chemical industries on our health. You could not find a more modern and in fashion topic, so close to reality, the danger for each of us in the future. It doesn't give you the desire to have children in such a world. It is a rather pessimistic film, but maybe not that hopeless. Great performances from beginning to the end and an excellent story telling and editing. You can compare it with Todd Hayne's DARK WATERS but you can prefer SILKWOOD, starring Meryl Streep. Same kind of topics and social issues. This is the nastiest character that Pierre Niney has ever played. I wished him to be smashed. His role is nearly the total opposite character he had in BOITE NOIRE.

The film essentially criticizes the practices of Monsanto around Glyphosate (although they use a fictional company and fictional pesticide), who biased scientific research in various ways, eg, discrediting research, paying scientists, etc.

It turns out that this film does exactly the same for the other camp. The film has absolutely no nuance and exaggerates every aspect of fight against glyphosate.

It pits sympathetic characters-a grieving lawyer (Patrick), a determined activist (France), and a conflicted lobbyist (Mathias)-against Phytosanis, a stand-in for Monsanto depicted as a ruthless corporation knowingly hiding the dangers of its pesticide. This creates a classic David vs. Goliath narrative, with the corporation as the unambiguous villain.

The reality is much more nuanced. By taking such an extreme, this film is essentially guilty of the same type of biased influencing as Monsanto.

Goliath isn't a 'great' film but it's an important story, well told. Terrific performances all around and excellent claustrophobic cinematography which helps create a tense atmosphere. For me, a couple of things let it down - some rather corny reaction shots of people laughing at the lobbyist's joke, and the sentimental ending over the credits. But the rest of the film far outweighs these minor flaws. Recommended.