In 1998, corporate defense attorney Robert Bilott, played by Mark Ruffalo, finds his life taking an unexpected turn when a distressed farmer, Wilbur Tennant (portrayed by Bill Camp), reaches out to him with severe concerns. Wilbur, an acquaintance of Robert's grandmother, presents boxes of tapes and unsettling evidence showing that all 190 of his cows have mysteriously died. These animals exhibit bizarre symptoms, leading Wilbur to believe that the livestock's demise is linked to the nearby DuPont plant, which has been disposing of waste irresponsibly. Despite his initial reluctance, Robert decides to visit Wilbur in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to witness the evidence first-hand.
Wilbur's troubling claims compel Robert to delve deeper into this environmental crisis, and he approaches his boss, Tom Terp (played by Tim Robbins), hoping to take on this case as a minor project. Tom skeptically agrees, launching Robert into a legal battle against one of the country’s largest companies. During one attorney function, Robert confronts DuPont's legal representative, Phil Donnelly (acted by Victor Garber), who dismissively downplays the situation. Undeterred, Robert files a small lawsuit to pry open DuPont's secrets through legal discovery.
As Robert immerses himself in the mountain of documents provided by DuPont, he uncovers a troubling chemical called PFOA, used in Teflon production and linked to devastating health effects. Meanwhile, his pregnant wife, Sarah Barlage Bilott (played by Anne Hathaway), begins to worry about Robert's obsessive quest. Their conversation reveals shocking truths about PFOA, which DuPont has known to be harmful for decades but failed to disclose.
As the stakes escalate, Robert grapples with the fallout of suing DuPont, which leads to social ostracism for Wilbur and deep personal struggles for Robert. After realizing the impacts on Wilbur and their community, Robert feels compelled to secure a fair settlement, culminating in a class-action lawsuit against DuPont, backed by local residents including Darlene Kiger (depicted by Mare Winningham), who share their harrowing experiences tied to the plant.
Despite significant resistance from his law firm and the looming threat of DuPont’s powerful influence, Robert perseveres with unwavering determination. Their court battle comes with emotional and financial burdens, but Robert pushes forward, igniting community support and sparking national attention to the case.
> “No one’s ever going to believe you,” Robert recalls hearing from Wilbur, a reminder of the uphill battle he faces.
Ultimately, Robert's tireless efforts yield fruitful results. After years of legal proceedings, the scientific panel validates that PFOA is responsible for serious health issues. Robert manages to secure lucrative settlements from DuPont, demonstrating the fight for justice that resonates beyond him, yet underlining the pervasive presence of unregulated chemicals in the world.
Through resilience and ambition, Robert Bilott not only brings accountability to DuPont but also sheds light on a broader crisis affecting countless lives, signifying a triumph against corporate negligence.
