Tom Cruise Satire 'Digger' Lacks Humor, Fails to Deliver Oscar-Worthy Performance, Review Says
Alejandro Iñárritu's new film, starring Cruise as an oil tycoon whose drilling causes an environmental catastrophe, is criticized for being both unfunny and messy.
Tom Cruise, under heavy prosthetics as eccentric oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, leads the cast of Alejandro Iñárritu's political satire "Digger," a film that struggles to find its footing as either innovative or humorous, according to a review from Fox News Digital.
The film centers on Rockwell, who ignores warnings about the catastrophic potential of his drilling operation in Greenland. His actions lead to a massive ice shelf breaking off, threatening Europe with a tsunami and widespread flooding. This international crisis forces President Compson, played by John Goodman, and his cabinet to confront Rockwell at his remote estate.
Despite the ambitious premise, "Digger" is described as a "mess of a film." Cruise's performance as Rockwell is seen as a compilation of his past characters rather than a unique role, and it is unlikely to earn him an Oscar, the review suggests. The rest of the cast, including Oscar-nominated actress Sandra Hüller as Rockwell's sister Emma and John Goodman as President Compson, deliver "one-note performances," according to the review. Hüller's character is primarily depicted as complaining about the environmental impact on her non-profit, which is funded by Rockwell. Riz Ahmed, however, is noted as giving a compelling performance as a scientist who had warned about the drilling's consequences. The film attempts to emulate the satirical style of Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove" but is instead compared unfavorably to Adam McKay's "Don't Look Up," which also sacrificed humor for "over-the-top preachiness."
Iñárritu, known for the critically acclaimed satire "Birdman," attempts bold narrative risks in "Digger," but the film lacks sufficient engagement for the audience. The primary redeeming qualities highlighted are the strong technical aspects, including the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki and the score by Cosmo Sheldrake.
The review concludes that "Digger" is a significant misfire, recommending audiences revisit better satires like "Dr. Strangelove" or "Birdman" instead.
"Digger" is rated R for pervasive language and has a running time of 2 hours and 9 minutes. It is currently in theaters.