'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Review: When Speeches and Protests Aren't Enough Anymore
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'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Review: When Speeches and Protests Aren't Enough Anymore
Director Daniel Goldhaber knocks it out the park with his explosive new film
Have you turned on the TV, read the news, or even talked with relatives lately? Climate change is “the” hot-button and frequent conversation topic. Some even question whether or not it’s a problem (it is), and there are those who make it their mission in life to make a change. In director Daniel Goldhaber’s fictional adaptation of Andreas Malm’s manifesto How to Blow Up a Pipeline, those who’ve been affected the most by these climate-damaging events have had enough.
When the film opens, we’re quickly introduced to a group of individuals ranging in age from their 20s to 30s who’ve collectively decided to strike back against the big oil companies of the world and blow up a West Texas oil pipeline. Their leader, Xochitl (Ariela Barer), was a college student who dreamed of making a significant change in the climate war but was fed up with how dire the situation felt. While the group prepares for their dangerous mission, we’re introduced to the different people who’ve gathered for this dangerous task, a narrative tactic that shows significant dividends as the story proceeds.
Each flashback isn’t a full life history but rather showcases the impetus for each member joining the cause. In the case of West Texas resident Dwayne (Jake Weary), the oil companies claimed land that had been in his family for more than a century under the eminent domain clause. Losing his property and having to find a new place to live for his growing family, Dwayne jumps at the opportunity to get revenge. Others have lost family members, seen terrible changes to their community, or have suffered the consequences of those chemical plants themselves.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline is entirely focused on showing how this group of individuals attempts to strike back. Little is discussed about the ramifications of their actions, but that works to keep the momentum of the movie full steam ahead. One of the group members that makes a big impression is an explosives expert Michael (Forrest Goodluck), who mostly keeps to himself. It’s the anxiety as he works with extremely volatile materials that make even the most mundane moments a thrill ride. What certainly helps with this tension is the fact that the movie was shot on grainy 16mm film. It gives the movie a raw feeling, almost as if it’s a secret that has been discovered. It also has a score from composer Gavin Brivik that brought memories of The Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems to mind.
The protagonists and their actions in How to Blow Up a Pipeline are neither naturally good nor intrinsically evil. They most certainly see themselves as the heroes of this story, fighting back against the big oil companies, and the government. They are also creating a weapon to destroy federal property and they understand they’ll be seen as terrorists. Whether or not younger Millenials or Gen Z will believe their only solution is sabotage remains to be seen, although some have already begun debating whether or not it’s in our future.
Not only does How to Blow Up a Pipeline bring to the forefront some extremely powerful questions, but it’s an excellent movie as well. It’s an angry call to action signaling the changes that might be coming. The reasons that motivate these characters to act aren’t fantasy—these are believable ramifications of the effects of climate change. Ultimately, How to Blow Up a Pipeline doesn’t feel the need to preach to its audience—these individuals just believe that the time to act is now, whether you’re on board or not. The fight back against climate change begins here. [A-]