During the press screening of Deepwater Horizon, audience members experienced sadness, joy, panic, anger and relief all at once.

Directed by Peter Beg (Hancock, Battleship, Lone Survivor) the movie successfully combined the US' biggest artificial disaster and complicated oil drilling terms with drama, which resulted in the viewers becoming emotionally involved with the story. 

The movie starts on a mundane morning on April 20, 2010, before the main characters fly to the Deepwater Horizon, an offshore oil drilling rig located in the Gulf of Mexico. Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) is having a breakfast with his wife (Kate Hudson) and daughter, who is preparing for a presentation about what Mike's doing and explains how the oil rig works in layman's terms. The scene then follows Mike's colleague, Andrea Fleytas (Gina Rodriguez), and the rig's manager, Jimmy Harrell (acted brilliantly by Kurt Russell), arriving at the airfield. They meet Donald Vidrine (John Malkovich) and Robert Kaluza, a representative from British Petroleum (BP), an oil company that hired the owner of the oil rig Transocean. Off they fly to the Deepwater Horizon, but once they land Jimmy senses something isn't right about the well. However, Vidrine insists they shouldn't postpone the drilling.

(Read also: US judge OKs US$20 billion settlement from 2010 BP oil spill)

The first half of the movie presents the situation prior to the accident. The plot hooks the viewers from the beginning, as Jimmy's frustration and Vidrine's stubbornness are shown. We understand Mike's unwillingness and his effort to help avoid the disaster. Once the story reaches its climax, a gripping scene plays on screen. Mike tries to save his colleagues and watches the rig fall apart. With explosions in the background the rig collapses and we witness human bravery and unselfishness.

Deepwater Horizon quite satisfyingly tells the story of disaster and gives viewers a better understanding of the tragedy. The writers, Matthew Sand (Ninja Assassin) and Matthew Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom, State of Play, World War Z) inserted the right amount of hints and drama that make the movie more entertaining and engaging. 

All in all, Deepwater Horizon is worth watching, but make sure to bring a box of tissues to the cinema. (kes)

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