Goliath

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!

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.

I felt the film did enough to keep my attention, acting was pretty damn good, better than some that I have recently seen.

The film plot was one that we shuld all be aware of given the current climate. I feel that they could've done more, but would that be at the cost of the movie? In any case the film wasn't fast paced or too slow, had me watching the whole way through So well worth the watch imho.

Given that all I see on here is fake reviewers given 10/10 So I felt the need to add a genuine review.

Not a wonderful movie but a good play by all the actors. Gilles Lellouche and Pierre Niney are very good in theirs characters.

Regarding the topic, it's a Frederic Tellier's movie with the Bads (companies & lobbies) and the Goods (ie activists). And the Goods have to win. Of course the topic about chemicals products is very interesting and the consequences on the health of farmers and neighborhood of the farms and the fields. But I don't like this kind of position, too unique. So, I don't know what thinking about this movie, if I liked it or I hated it.

Watch it to have your own opinion on it.