We’ve seen the major D-Day invasion and its aftermath portrayed in cinema plenty of times. I guess it only makes sense to get a look at how the planning went before the English Channel was crossed.
Rather than determining what type of force is needed to storm the beaches of Normandy, though, “Pressure” centers on the meteorological efforts needed to know when to launch. The picture is largely from the vantage point of James Stagg (Andrew Scott), a meteorologist who was summoned by General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) to help the process.
However, Eisenhower’s decision was based on a recommendation from Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and he already has a weather expert who he’s relied on before. That expert, Irving Krick (Chris Messina), forecasts calm weather, contrasting Stagg’s outlook of a storm. As D-Day gets closer, their disagreement puts the invasion at risk.
As mentioned in the lede, we’ve seen D-Day portrayed many times on screen, notably in the Oscar-winning film “Saving Private Ryan” and the acclaimed miniseries “Band of Brothers.” However, Operation Overlord had been in the planning process for a long time. In fact, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had been wanting it from the other Allies for years.
Rather than dig into the military logistics, though, “Pressure” explores another factor not as highlighted, but just as important. Weather can make or break a military campaign. In fact, it had just happened in the same war for the German forces, which were driven back in Russia in part because of the winter.
So, debate over whether to launch or not based on the forecast is certainly ripe for some drama. David Haig realized this and first made the situation into a stageplay, before joining director Anthony Maras to work on the film adaptation. The result is a rather straightforward, but no less interesting dramatization of the internal conflict at Allied headquarters.
One thing working in the favor of “Pressure” is its race against the clock factor. The titular pressure is certainly felt by everyone, whether it’s the high-ranking generals or the workers in the weather room. The stakes are high, the European Theater hangs in the balance, and that comes across.
There’s also the simple truth behind the uncompromising nature of, well, Mother Nature. It often doesn’t fit into peoples’ plans. But it is there, and wishful thinking won’t make a difference. It leads to warranted, genuine frustration in the film, and Stagg’s forecasts of strong storms only add more direness to the situation.
The film doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to military men debating in a room, but the scenes where that happens keep a viewer invested, and the movie makes it a point to show how the stalemate in determining whether to launch or not is having an effect on the individuals, considering thousands of lives are at risk.
As for the characters themselves, they do at times feel a bit one note. Krick seems overly nonchalant at times, while Stagg is portrayed a bit too stiff in some places. That’s not to say they aren’t well brought to life throughout the whole movie. The characters are rather compelling in several scenes, but a bit more nuance with them would be welcome.
Acting-wise, the film is largely fine. This is a decorated cast and it certainly shows in some of the film’s big moments. Scott is quite good in portraying a man under immense stress, both personal and professional, who’s trying to hold it together. Fraser, meanwhile, is a bit hit or miss. He’s quite good at showing the inner feelings of Ike, and is capable of capturing the figure’s authority in managing the many elements of the Allied forces.
However, there are some moments, mainly when he has to raise his voice that don’t quite work. This is notable during a time when he’s giving a famous pre-invasion speech which was delivered somewhat off. What’s interesting is that edited in between those scenes of him delivering the speech are moments where he is shaking the hands and speaking to soldiers preparing for the operation, and they are picture perfect.
“Pressure” shows the desperate moments before the great undertaking, and importantly, how science is a tool that doesn’t always provide the most convenient answers, but they are answers nonetheless. As a dramatization, cinematically, it’s rather standard and the warfare scenes aren’t in the same league as some other epics. But as a picture about the human drama in war away from the battlefield, there’s good here. 3.5 out of 5.
