Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Criticized for Lack of Substance

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's eighth feature film, "Digger," has been met with sharp criticism for its perceived lack of substance, despite a complex narrative and elaborate filmmaking. The film, starring Tom Cruise, is described as "pure, empty-headed trickery" with "nothing to say," according to a review from TIME.

Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon who is portrayed as eccentric and self-absorbed. The review notes that Cruise's character is initially focused on keeping his animatronic emotional-support cat alive, a plot point that is considered neither funny nor touching. Digger's lavish mansion, filled with an eclectic mix of old and new decor, is depicted as visually monotonous, with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's work contributing to a "drab-looking gewgaw" aesthetic characterized by pervasive gray tones.

The film is identified as an environmental parable, with Digger's ruthless pursuit of oil leading to a cataclysmic event that results in mass casualties. Despite possessing insider knowledge of this impending disaster, Digger takes no action to prevent it. His environmental adviser, played by Riz Ahmed, is aware of his boss's culpability but struggles to manage the public relations fallout. Digger later confronts a tribunal of world leaders, delivering a speech about the universal demand for oil, which the review characterizes as a "scolding rant" rather than a compelling argument.

Adding another layer of complexity, the film reveals that Digger is a character within a play, and Cruise is portraying an actor playing Digger. This meta-narrative device is seen as a continuation of Iñárritu's penchant for elaborate filmmaking techniques, similar to "Birdman" and "The Revenant." However, the review suggests that such an approach can be perceived as an insult to actors, implying they are being subjected to harsh conditions for the sake of realism rather than allowing them to perform professionally.

The screenplay for "Digger" was cowritten by Iñárritu, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Nicolás Giacobone, with a story by Iñárritu, Berman, and Jez Butterworth. The film's narrative is described as being "all over the place and laser-focused on its dumb premise." Supporting cast members include John Goodman as the President of the United States and Sandra Hüller, who reportedly drifts through the movie with little to do. Jesse Plemons appears in a few brief scenes as an audience member with a secret.

Cruise's performance as Digger is characterized by bombastic delivery and a willingness to wear prosthetics that alter his appearance. The review posits that this is an attempt to prove his acting prowess beyond his status as a movie star, but argues that "acting to prove a point is the antithesis of acting." Ultimately, "Digger" is criticized for relentlessly promoting the perceived genius of its creators rather than telling a compelling story, described as "reverse-engineered awards bait" that "insists it’s digging for the truth, when all it’s really doing is shoveling."