Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Clark Johnson, Rialto Distribution.
It’s a valid question: can you patent something that’s alive? Percy Vs. Goliath is based on the 1998 lawsuit and is more than a standard David and Goliath story. It’s about the events of an independent canola farmer’s six-year-long crusade against global corporate monolith, Monsanto.
Percy Schmeiser, 67, a third-generation farmer, was accused of growing the company’s genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without a licence and forced to risk losing his land. He takes his fight to the highest court, challenging the multi-national’s right to own life itself.
Oscar-winning actor Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter, Catch Me if You Can) is credible as the common man, Percy, in this court battle in Canada. With its strong storyline, the movie places the focus on a farmer and his legal battle against a corporate giant, in the province of Saskatchewan. Taking on Monsanto shows Walken in a powerful role: the farmer, who is a man of principle, and rather than simply paying the company to make the problem go away — he decides to fight it in court, even though he couldn’t afford it.
In steps small-town lawyer Jackson Weaver (Zach Braff, Garden State, Scrubs), who advises Percy against a legal fight, then “reluctantly” takes the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. He gains support from environmental activist Rebecca Salcau played by Christina Ricci (Sleepy Hollow, Monster).
The film’s other impressive ensemble includes Roberta Maxwell (Brokeback Mountain, The Postman) as Percy’s wife Louise; Adam Beach (Hostiles, Suicide Squad) is Percy’s field hand Alton Kelly; Luke Kirby (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Take This Waltz) plays Percy’s son; Martin Donovan (Ant-Man, Insomnia) is Monsanto’s lead lawyer Rick Aarons; and Peter Stebbings (Immortals) is Rebecca’s NGO boss.
Director Johnson (Boycott, The Wire) shows how to bring a story with a social justice context to vibrant life, with multi-dimensional characters and visceral political stakes.
Camera work by Luc Montpellier does justice not only to the awe-inspiring skies and landscapes of the prairies, but also makes sure the camera work communicates the connection farmers have to the land, and the aesthetics of the everyday lives of the people who provide the world with food.
Percy Vs. Goliath is screening in cinemas.
