“If SUV drivers were a nation, in 2018, they would have ranked seventh for CO2 emissions.” This is one of the best quotes from Andreas Malm’s 2021 novel “How to Blow Up a Pipeline.” The non-fiction manifesto is a compelling analysis of contemporary climate activism and the ineffectiveness of pacifism in the fight against climate change. Daniel Goldhaber’s adaptation of Malm’s novel is a unique take on the heist genre that entertains and educates its audiences and surpasses all expectations.
In “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” eight environmental activists hatch a plan to blow up an oil pipeline. What’s the reason for their actions? To protest the damage done by climate change every day. The group comprises individuals directly impacted by the pollution of oil refineries. In addition, some want to further support the cause. So, the team heads to West Texas, where a recently constructed oil pipeline is located. Homemade bombs the size of oil barrels are in check. For this reason, the group gets to work by sabotaging the pipeline. Hopefully, this will get their urgent message across to those in power.
A Nail-Bitting, Ticking Time-Bomb Thriller
Will surveillance drones and maintenance workers thwart their destructive scheme? Or will they succeed in getting their message out to thousands and prompt a serious change in the world? “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is led by knockout performances from the entire ensemble cast. Ariela Barer gives an assured and absorbing performance as Xochitl. She’s a college student from Long Beach, California, who experienced the noxious effect of climate change firsthand after her mother died in a ‘freak heatwave.’ Xochitl’s lifelong friend Theo, brought to life through a brilliant performance by Sasha Lane, also has to deal with the impact of pollution. She was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.
“The Revenant” breakout star Forrest Goodluck also delivers a commanding performance as Michael. He plays a Native American, self-taught explosives specialist. His character spends most of his time filming himself as he creates explosive crafts and picks fights with oil workers. Furthermore, Goodluck, Barer, and Lane’s performances are accompanied by solid turns from the rest of the ensemble.
With “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” Daniel Goldhaber asserts himself as someone who can easily deliver a thrilling and thoroughly entertaining feature on a small budget. Goldhaber’s direction helps build the nail-biting tension. This creates a resounding urgent message about the fight against climate change. Tehillah De Castro provides the film with attractive cinematography that allows the striking performances to take center stage in the middle of the New Mexico desert. Composer Gavin Brivik, who previously worked with Goldhaber on “Cam,” crafts a stirring score that skillfully builds the tension needed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the entire 104-minute runtime.
A Stellar Book-to-Screen Adaptation
Despite being an adaptation from a non-fiction novel with no character-led story, “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” still manages to be a stellar book-to-screen adaptation. The film takes examples of activism mentioned directly in Malm’s book. For example, the slashing of SUV tires. But it comes with a twist. The American SUVs are the focus of the attacks instead of the ‘affluent Swedes’ in the book. The film sends a powerful message about the urgency and necessity of fighting climate change. In addition, there are sparks of the stark realization that passive activism has failed. Violence, like property destruction, is the only way to get higher-ups to listen and change their ways.
Daniel Goldhaber delivers a distinctive take on the heist genre. He creates a film that can be analogized to those of Steven Soderbergh and exceeds expectations. Because of Goldhaber’s brilliant direction and acute performances, I deem “How to Blow up A Pipeline” one of the best environmentalist thrillers out there. The film delivers a stark look at the severity of climate change and that without significant action, “property will cost us the Earth,” as stated in Andreas Malm’s book.
