In Digger, the most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s saviour before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything. Source: Australian Catholics.
Digger is a highly theatrical satire, with stylised sets and quick-paced action.
It is clear that cowriter-director and double Oscar-winning Inarritu takes his satirical approach, black humour, seriously. Many hostile reviews condemn him as “pretentious”.
Audiences, however, may favour seeing Tom Cruise tackle the role of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell as a dishevelled, self-indulgent, imperious, impatient character.
Digger’s financial and power slogan is “Drill, drill”.
But, the world is faced with a major climate crisis, with Greenland the epicentre of the crisis. How will business cope? How will government cope, particularly the ailing United States President, trigger-happy military advisers and the threatened European Union?
A highlight of the film is Digger’s speech to delegates at the European Union, an extraordinary monologue with a powerfully energetic delivery – a Cruise tour de force to be remembered.
And the themes of the satire? This reviewer, while watching, wondered how two high profile personalities might review the film.
The first thought was Donald Trump (and his MAGA devotees). Probably unfavourable reviews, thinking that the film was a mirror, distorted of stands on oil, finance, energy, oil dependence, climate change as a hoax . . . The second thought was classic filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick, skilled in satire, comparing Digger and its black humour with his classics, including Dr Strangelove.
The other word used about Digger is “bombastic”. Indeed, the makers have decided that it should be bombastic, loud, over the top, dramatic and melodramatic, with a musical score that includes frequent sonic booms.
This reviewer votes in favour of seeing and reflecting on the bombast of Digger.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Digger: Starring Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Huller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde. Directed by Alejandro G Inarritu. 130 minutes. Rated MA (Strong coarse language.)
FULL REVIEW
Digger (Australian Catholics)
