It’s always a treat when you’re already enjoying a movie for what it is, and then it takes a turn that brings it up to an even higher level.
Such is the case with “Digger,” the latest starring vehicle for Tom Cruise who plays the titular character, an oil tycoon looking to extract Texas Tea from any place on Earth. As the movie gets underway, his latest operation ends up causing a disaster, with a large iceberg breaking from Greenland and heading toward Europe.
As the situation turns dire, Digger has to convene with the U.S. President (John Goodman) on what to do about the situation, with input from his environmental safety director Nirav (Riz Ahmed). As the film goes on, though, more is revealed about Cruise’s character, which flips the whole situation into even more dramatic territory.
“Digger” is a movie that introduces itself as a satirical comedy centered on an environmental disaster, as well as the rich and powerful men who caused such a calamity. That in itself can make for a fine feature, and to this movie’s credit, the approach works. It’s not entirely groundbreaking, as it plays into some tropes, but it feels like a perfectly fine, though unspectacular cinematic experience.
Then, there’s a big reveal late in the first act that gives the picture an entirely new dimension, and it adds so many more fascinating elements. It creates a wonderfully gripping and thought-provoking watch, as the film not only explores the climate crisis and those responsible, but also how the public consciousness interprets the damage that’s already been done.
The movie does this by also commenting on the merit of art that touches on these matters, the audience’s reaction to it, and the overall impact these works have and don’t have on the lives of people. It’s poignant, funny and sharply relevant.
The flick pulls this off by basically telling two intertwined stories in seamless fashion. Director Alejandro Iñárritu, who also co-wrote the movie with Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Nicolás Giacobone, Sabina Berman and Jez Butterworth, did tremendous work in transitioning between the two tales. They allow each of to say what they need to say thematically, without feeling disjointed..
At the heart of “Digger” is the man who plays the character. Cruise is top tier in this feature, doing some of his best dramatic work in decades. While he’s had his moments in action flicks in recent years, this is definitely his best work since 2003’s “The Last Samurai” and 2004’s “Collateral.”
There’s an extended monologue scene his character has, and Cruise is absolutely sensational. Not only is it an entertaining sequence, but knowing the different shades of the character, it’s even more impressive. That moment is a microcosm of Cruise’s work overall, as he plays the hell out of a character with several things going on.
The supporting cast are fantastic as well. Ahmed and Goodman have moments where they really shine, as do Sandra Hüller, Robert John Burke, Sophie Wilde and Jesse Plemons. As we learn more about their characters, it really brings all of their solid collective acting efforts into focus.
Iñárritu, who’s already shown off his filmmaking abilities with the likes of 2014’s “Birdman” and 2015’s “The Revenant,” does so again here with a great deal of style at play. The film shifts its camera work and aspect ratio depending on the scene, giving each moment a distinct visual identity, depending on what story is in focus. The muted color palette and attention to detail in the set designs also add to the movie’s atmosphere and relate to the film’s commentary.
The issue with “Digger” is it leaves a person wanting some things to be expanded upon. That’s not to say it makes you feel like there’s a gaping hole, but there’s a sense a bit more could be added here and there for a more well-rounded experience.
However, with that said, this is one of the stronger pictures of the year and is definitely worth seeing thanks to how it excels in storytelling, acting, cinematic technique and commentary. Just try not to spoil too much when sharing thoughts after a viewing. 4.75 out of 5.
Photo courtesy Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures
