Tom Cruise Transforms in 'Digger', Iñárritu's Controversial Climate Satire

Tom Cruise, widely known for his action-packed roles in franchises like “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun,” has taken an unexpected turn in his career with “Digger.” The new film by director Alejandro González Iñárritu features him in an unrecognizable, heavily prosthetic-laden role in a bleak comedy that addresses climate change. Amy Nicholson's review in the Los Angeles Times describes the part as Cruise's riskiest in eons, and the film as a "bizarre stunt" made on a big studio budget.

An Unrecognizable Tom Cruise

In “Digger,” Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a Texan oil magnate. His character is described as grotesque, resembling an unearthed Ross Perot, and an early scene shows him lounging in a bed soaked with cat pee. This physical transformation, with prosthetics giving him a pendulous belly, marks a clear departure from the heroic roles we're used to seeing him in. The film, with a $125 million budget, represents a bold gamble for the actor and for Hollywood, which rarely funds such experimental projects on this scale.

Cruise's performance has been highlighted as a deliberate attempt to step out of his comfort zone, something he hadn't done in the last decade. The Los Angeles Times critic emphasizes the actor's audacity in taking on such an unconventional character, an oil-obsessed man who shouts, "Oil is the mother's milk of Earth!"

Iñárritu's Provocative Vision

Alejandro González Iñárritu, a back-to-back Oscar winner for Best Director for “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” once again surprises with a proposal that blends influences from Stanley Kubrick and Bertolt Brecht. The screenplay, co-written by Iñárritu, Sabina Berman, and “Birdman” writers Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, features a structure of nesting narratives.

The main plot follows Digger Rockwell on the morning he learns that an ice shelf has broken off his Greenland drilling site, threatening a catastrophe in Norway. Instead of seeking solutions, Digger invites the president (played by a formidable John Goodman) and his macho Cabinet to his mansion for an emergency summit where they merely pray and plan how to cover their tracks. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, with whom Iñárritu has collaborated before, uses unflattering low angles and lighting that makes the characters appear to be "melting alongside the polar ice caps," according to the review.

A Satire About the End of the World

The film takes an unexpected turn by revealing that Digger's story is, in fact, a stage play within the film, titled “Fossil Fools.” The actor playing Digger, Curtis, is a character struggling to understand the humor in his role's sociopathy. This additional layer of meta-narrative aims to question the audience's reaction to the collapse of civilization and human inertia in the face of environmental destruction.

The film does not seek solutions, but rather reflects society's coldest and cruelest fears. Dennis Gassner's production design, featuring leaky ceilings and exploding coffee makers, underscores the idea of a world in constant decay. Even the cat Maggie, the only living animal in Digger's house, is played by a robot, adding a touch of "artificial horror" compared to Cruise's prosthetic appearance.

Reactions and Debate

“Digger” has sparked debate about its nature and message. The Los Angeles Times critic notes that while it's not an easy film to love, its existence is a cause for giddiness due to its audacity. The film does not offer catharsis as a solution, but as a salve, leaving the audience with the question of whether laughter is the best revenge in the face of the climate crisis.

This type of production challenges Hollywood conventions and offers a different perspective from more commercial films, such as Ben Affleck's recent release of "Animals," as we discussed in this note. Iñárritu and Cruise's commitment to cinema that disturbs and provokes thought is a recurring theme in the art world, where figures like Thích Nhất Hạnh have also invited introspection from another perspective.

Why it matters

“Digger” is a film that defies expectations, both in its choice of protagonist and its narrative approach. It represents an example of how big names in Hollywood can take risks on artistic projects that address complex issues like climate change, inviting reflection on human inertia and the nature of satire. Its ability to generate debate and provoke discomfort makes it a relevant piece in the current cinematic landscape.