Directed and co-written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant (2015); Babel (2006); Birdman (2014)) and starring Tom Cruise (Top Gun (1986); Minority Report (2002); Mission: Impossible (1996); Rain Man (1988)), John Goodman (Argo (2012); Flight (2012); Kong: Skull Island (2017); Roseanne (tv series, 1988-2018)), Riz Ahmed (Jason Bourne (2016); Nightcrawler (2014); The Long Goodbye (short, 2020)) and Sandra Hüller (Requiem (2006); Anatomy of a Fall (2023); Project Hail Mary (2026)).
A satirical comedy drama conveying a powerful message with a massive environmental impact: Rockwell (Tom Cruise) is a powerful oil magnate who lavishes far more attention on he ailing cat than he does on his family or staff, including Emma (Sandra Hüller).
He is alerted to an impending disaster in Greenland where he has been extracting oil without regard for the consequences. He contacts US President Compson (John Goodman) who them brings his top aides, including military leaders, to his home so they can decide on which course of action to take, including perceptions of both political and economical perspectives, never environmental, despite keeping close to him his top environmental consultant, Ganesh (Riz Ahmed).
Tom Cruise is excellent as Rockwell, particularly in a long monologue addressing a gallery of people only interested in baying for blood, while he is trying to spin it so that he is seen as the solution rather the problem; with fine performances too from John Goodman.
This film will not be for everyone (it can be described as a polarising experience), as it is comparable to Wes Anderson's work (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Asteroic City, The French Dispatch, The Phoenician Scheme) and that of Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer). However, is does have a couple of profound twists, of which certainly the first really makes it as a film.
Those that appreciate Digger will marvel at the cinematography and the thought-provoking messaging on both climate change and corporate greed, with the (drab) colour palette adding to the electricity of the performances.
Digger is currently being screened at the Kinpeolis and CiNextDoor groups in Luxembourg.
