Digger (2026)

 Is Digger the most divisive film of the year ?

A stunt ?

A vanity project ?

A cinematic hoax ?

A future cult masterpiece and a visionary film ?

Give it a try in the cinemas and don't let the trailer fool you, there's a gimmick yes but the filmmakers asked us not to spolier the film -those who reead my blog know that I hardly mention plots and the story of the film I am 'reviewing' here. 

I am happy that I liked it, went with a lot of sketicism and came out Happy ! or maybe, Happy is not the right word, it's an intense, deep, layered piece of masterful cinema !

...and I must say I am neither a Tom Cruise or Alejandro Iñárritu fan !

 I mostly agree with Mark Kermode video review. I disagree on the point that you'd definetly read more and different into the film into a second viewing but who would ever wanna do that ? And with his conclusion. (also I disagree on his opinion of Eyes Wide Shut. My main problem with that film was Tom Cruise but he is making that film go). 

I will see it a second time. I'm sure it will be even better.

The acting ensemble is sensational, Riz Ahmed should won supporting actor Oscar (Tom Cruise surely will be shunned!), John Goodman as hammy as Slim Pickens was in Strangelove, Michael Stuhlbarg, Robert John Burke, Sandra Hüller, Burn Gorman,  Pip Torrens and a very intersting Jesse Plimons. 

I'd give a clue on some influences: obviously Iñárritu's own Birdman, Kubrick's Dr. Strangleove, Charlie Kaufman's “Synecdoche, New York.” and as observed as (not so smarty) clues onscreen, Lubitsch with To Be or Not To Be and John Cassavetes' Opening Night. Parts look like a Wes Andreson film, parts like Coen bros, Roy Andersson, even a wink to Cuaron's Children of Men. And shades of Citizen Kane. 

Guillermo De Toro says it best: " Love it or not. And, yes, I do. The film delivers in scale, ambition and reach at a theatrical screen level. Daring, bold and cinematically complex. Decidedly a theatrical experience." 

Shot in VistaVision by DoP Emmanuel Lubezki, all filmed at Pinewood studios, with a grand set design details, colors and shapes. Uberstylised. 

Great experimental score by a newcomer in films, English pop indie artist Cosmo Sheldrake (which I am happy to discover now-his regular stuff I'm listening right now).

More about his score here: 

Two songs by The Ink Spots, some Debussy, Melanie Safka's  Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma that closes the film, followed by a crazy Avian Elegy by Sheldrake, which reminded me of the experimental Pink Floyd  (actually Roger Waters crazy song) from 1969's Ummagumma, Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict. , which mesmerised us when we were like 13 olds ;)

4 stars out of 5 / 8 out of 10 !!!

*The most cinematic experience you can have now in cinemas, also watch for HOPE and RESIDENT EVIL and if you are a dog lover go and weep at Heart of the Beast !