Digger2026
Still not fully sure of how I feel about Digger. I think is one of those sad cases where I like the ideas but not the way it was executed. More than the ideas, I like the message it delivers, but the package it comes in didn't convince me. Digger doesn't have much to say about the climate crisis, and that's for the best, it immediately puts it over Don't Look Up's shallow attempt at exploring the topic. Digger is more interested in talking about arts and what their place is in the political landscape. I find this thematic exploration to be much richer and thought-provoking, tho I wish the movie spent a little more time openly discussing it rather than throwing all of it on that big monologue near the end. That's probably my main issue, the big plot twist separates the narrative in two and neither half were explored in depth, so you end up with two somewhat shallow worlds that are more theme than movie. The twist, however, was a huge improvement over what the film was shaping up to be on its first minutes. The loud and annoying start makes a lot more sense and works way better. The movie never stops being loud and annoying, but the full context lets you appreciate it more. Moving to the more technical aspects, Digger is exceptional. Most of my gripes are with the screenplay and general structure, but I can't complain much about the other elements. The movie looks gorgeous, no surprise, Lubezki is a master of his craft. The sets are stunning as well, quite elaborate and memorable, and the prosthetic makeup (which I assume is thanks to Kazu Hiro but I haven't checked so not sure) makes the cartoonish look of Rockwell as realistic as possible. Cruise is stellar, his best performance since Magnolia. I can't imagine any other actor pulling this off. You need Cruise cause there's no one as grandiose on a screen. He is magnetic even when he is disgusting and despicable. You can't take your eyes away from him. The rest of the cast is serviceable, with Ahmed, Goodman, Plemons, and Wilde having small yet powerful segments. I was definitely intrigued the whole time, but I can't say I was really having fun. There are a few phenomenal sequences like Cruise's big monologue, but besides those small moments, Digger is not funny. And I know that's in part the objective, and I love what Digger has to say about the place of comedy in a tragic world like ours, but when that complex debate is presented in such an unappealing wrapping, I can only love the whole this much. I feel like I might enjoy it more on a rewatch, as knowing the twist might make the start more palatable