Digging Digger

I don't mind seeing the occasional controversial movie, and as I had seen quite a few people online saying "ignore the criticism, just go see Digger, its great", I did.

I knew the movie had a twist, and it does, and I won't spoil it.  Despite the screenplay having far too much of the American excessive swearing, I did enjoy seeing it for the following reasons:

*  Tom Cruise's acting in it is just great.  A difficult role, often with some lengthy and complicated lines, he is just so good at the total immersion type acting.

*  The movie's look is very arty and distinctive, and while in a way I didn't like looking at the washed out palate of colours for 2 hours, the staging of the film is quite intricate and looks expensive for a interior shot film.

*  It's daring to make a movie that ends the way it does.   I think it was pretty amazing that the studio thought it would make money, but I'm glad someone made that mistake.  I read online that audiences watch the end in silence, and yes, I agree, it is impactful.

*  It can be read as messaging in more that one direction, though, and it's hard to discuss in detail while not disclosing the grand conceit of the film.    Let's just say this - it occurred to me the next day that (mimicking a line I think Pauline Kael wrote), it can be read as an anti-satire satire.   In fact, maybe that was its main point?    It's a film that invites debate as to its main point, and I don't mind that.   

Having noted those reasons for being glad to have seen it, I'm not saying it's perfect.   There is at least one plot element which seems to serve no good purpose, although I might change my mind if I rewatch it.  I also wish that the environmental catastrophe it portrayed was one which felt more realistic, and I really don't know why the one chosen was used.   I guess I also agree with what some critics have said: that it sometimes seems to think its funnier than it is.   But then again, it is one point knowingly acknowledging it's not really as funny as it should be.   It's a complicated movie, that's for sure.

The next movie I would like to see is Wildwood - Laika studio's last ditch attempt to have a significant hit again, after years of declining box office.  It opens soon, I hope its well reviewed...