Movie Review: DIGGER

There is no doubt that the new film DIGGER is going to be polarizing - you’re either gonna LOVE it or you are gonna HATE it.

But, what should not be polarizing is that Tom Cruise gives a career best, Oscar worthy performance.

Co-Written and Directed by 4x Oscar Winner Alejandro G. Inarritu (THE REVENANT), Digger is part DR. STRANGLOVE and part “Wes Anderson movie” and tells the tale of Oil Magnate “Digger” Rockwell (Cruise) an unapologetic capitalist who cares not what his oil digging is doing to the planet in search of the almighty dollar. When a disaster occurs that could threaten the planet, Digger sets forth to cast himself as NOT the villain but the HERO of this event.

To tell more is to spoil, but the Direction by Inarritu is a character in and of itself in this move, showing unattractive - and at times repulsive - angles of his characters making them appear more cartoonish and clownish as the absurdities continue to pile upon absurdities.

Until they don’t - which could be construed as a spoiler.

Love it or hate it, you will have to admit that Inarritu is in full control of this film and his artistic vision is strongly laid out aided, strongly, by the Cinematography of 3x Oscar Winner (and frequent Inarritu collaborator) Emmanuel Lubezki. Expect Oscar noms for Director, Writer, Cinematography and much, much more on the “artistic side” (Art Direction, Make-Up, Costumes, etc…) whether you like this movie or not, you will have to admit that the production of this film is something to special and specific.

And now…on to the performances.

As stated above, Cruise gives a career best performance in the titular role. He is on screen for the entire film and not only gives a bombastic performance but also balances that with some moments of intimacy and reflection that shows a range that most would not think that Cruise is capable of.

But it is not only Cruise who shines in this, Riz Ahmed (SOUND OF METAL) also gives an exceptional performance as the Scientist that keeps trying to tell Digger the truth while all Digger wants to do is figure out how to spin the story to his benefit.

This film is filled with “that guy” actors (Michael Stuhlbarg, Burn Gorman, James Dryden, Corey Johnson) who shine and add to the stylized feel of the film while the GREAT John Goodman gives, yet again, a powerful “much watch” performance that just might get him another Oscar nomination (unless that nomination goes to Ahmed).

Only 2x Oscar nominee Sandra Huller (who will earn her 3rd Oscar nomination for PROJECT HAIL MARY earlier this year) fails to shine in a role that is, inexplicably, the most under-written of all the main roles.

Oh, and then there is “mark of quality” Jesse Plemons who lurks in the background throughout the movie and then bursts onto the forefront of the film at about the 85% mark to save the movie at a point where it could have devolved into nonsense with a nuanced, touching monologue that helps the audience make sense of what they’ve been watching.

This film, most definitely, is not for everyone but if you “roll with the flow” during the disjointed start of this film where not everything lands, you will be rewarded with a thoughtful, intelligent film that will have you talking about it afterward.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis