*May Contain Spoilers:* I *think* love Digger. It’s a beautiful, but bleak film. One which you only truly understand after letting it sit for a few days. As I have done. From the very beginning, Iñárritu does the unthinkable - daring you to dislike it. The sound design, cinematography, make-up - all stunning, but deeply uncomfortable. These first 30 mins are both exciting, and daunting; rattling by with little time for pause. Not giving us the chance to breathe. Then, just as we begin to settle into the chaos of it all… Iñárritu dares us once again - to sit through the most bizarre cinema experience I’ve ever felt. The entire 2nd act contains arguably the best scenes of the film, and carries the majority of the narrative… yet in the moment, you hate it. Once the projections drop, and the theatre is revealed; we are left with an overall feeling of “so?” Why should you care for the story anymore? It's fake! Sure, it’s funny, and impressive - but hollow. Fortunately, that’s only half the story. Just as Digger Rockwell - and Kenny later on - battle with "controlling the narrative”. Iñárritu completely alters our “perception” of the whole experience. When we get the final reveal. It all clicks… The foreshadowing of the leaking sets, Curtis’ daughter. That is why *think* I love this film. It’s not a quick shot of escapism, it’s a slow drag, of thought provoking mastery. I also said this was a bleak film; and it is. Only now does the final line - delivered over the credits - hit me. This is not a film about a play about historical events in the future, it is a film - about a film - about a play about historical events in the future. The final line, “level 4”, is delivered first to the audience of the play, and then to the audience of this film. In both cases it says: ‘The show is over. Leave. Go back to your miserable lives’. Digger does not deliver a cliched ‘make the world a better place’ message. To it, the world is beyond saving, and we’re left to pick up the pieces. Which is where the film’s most interesting character comes in: Kenny (Jesse Plemons). Because this is not a film about the climate crisis… It’s a film about storytelling (I see why Tom Cruise liked it). Kenny’s actions to rescue Curtis’ daughter bring a family together; Just as Fossil Fools brings a community together. But to do so… Managing a scarily effective surveillance company. Funding and handpicking the talent behind the play… Perhaps Kenny too is "controlling the narrative”. Just like Digger. Just like Iñárritu. This is a long review, for an elaborate film. I really would recommend watching it - even though it may pain you in the moment. Great Film. *(P.S. That score by Cosmo Sheldrake… Incredible. OSCAR worthy.)*
0 comments
No comments yet. Be the first to weigh in.