The opening sequence of French film “Goliath” jolted me like a case of deja vu. The scenes follow an oil and agrochemical lobbyist as he prepares for a conference in Moscow. His major talking point is that electric vehicle batteries require cobalt, much of it mined by children in horrific conditions. Republican congressmen confronted U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg with the same issue in a recently televised hearing (June 27th, 2024). You can view Buttigieg’s responses online but in “Goliath”, it is a journalist who proffers the rebuttal; the accusations leveled at electric cars are a smokescreen designed to protect the petroleum industry.

The fictional corporate entity in “Goliath”, employing the services of lobbyist Mathias Rozen (Pierre Ninay), is Paris-based Photosanis. The company is under pressure due to a high-profile lawsuit, spearheaded by environmental lawyer Patrick Fameau (Gilles Lellouche). The suit is fueling an increasingly militant movement protesting Photosanis’s manufacture of the pesticide Tetrazine. Physical education teacher France (Emmanuelle Bercot) lives next to a field sprayed with Tetrazine. When her husband is diagnosed with lymphoma, she joins the activist group confronting Photosanis. Fameau’s client, whose partner was also diagnosed with cancer, is moved to take desperate action against Photosanis when the court denies her claim.

“Goliath” is part political thriller, part procedural social drama. Writer-director Frederic Tellier portrays the disinformation campaign meant to neutralize the opposition. This includes destroying the reputation of attorney Fameau and his clients through the use of social media influencers, trolls, and bots. The corporate bosses lean on their contacts in government to trigger a tax audit of Fameau. Now in a vulnerable position, Photosanis attempts to bribe Fameau. When the incorruptible Fameau rejects their offer, the corporation coerces his clients into accepting a cash settlement.

The film refuses to give in to despair, however. Fameau stays true to his principles while the activist France is sustained by her family relationships. An implausible scene does occur as “Goliath” reaches its conclusion. The lobbyist working with Mathieu has a change-of-heart, becoming a whistleblower. Nothing in his previous actions suggests this could happen and it strikes me as false. I also take issue with the handheld camera work. The shaky visuals are meant to suggest veracity and immediacy. It tends to look amateurish, though, and the use of Steadicam is preferable.

Director Michael Mann recently made a comment about his political thriller “The Insider” (1999) that is applicable to “Goliath”. Mann said his film was not really about the tobacco industry but the ability of a man to withstand the physical and psychological assaults on his life. Likewise, the characters in “Goliath” are placed under enormous pressure which some are unable to endure. Running parallel to the personal stories, however, are consequential questions about corruption, misinformation, resource control, and the future of science.

Click here to watch "Goliath" on Prime Video.

Article posted on 7/13/2024. "Goliath" is a French film with English subtitles. I watched at my own expense.