After a period of secrecy and limited reveals prior to its release, Tom Cruise’s latest outing as an aged oil tycoon has hit theatres, producing a strange effect on audiences and divisive messaging.
Digger Rockwell, the wealthiest man in the world, has made a fortune off the extraction of fossil fuels in the far north.
Close friends with US President Compson, a clear parallel to the current man in charge, he has been able to avoid environmental regulation for many years, leading to catastrophic consequences for Europe, North America and the rest of the world.
Among the chaos, the aptly named Digger will be forced to defend his actions before an infuriated media and government, all of whom are now fearing for the Earth’s future. However, the man’s ego and cynical worldview will prove a great hinderance to any form of meaningful action or learning from mistakes.
The film provides a number of classic laughs with its straightforward style of humour, and certain points in the movie will provoke thought among reflective theatregoers on the nature of human environmental impact or the hypocrisy behind the global elite’s dealing with the issue, depending upon personal worldviews.
One of the film’s few moments of deeper significance consists of Digger’s theatrical speech giving criticism of constant dependence from the Western world on the oil he drills for; while simultaneously bemoaning the havoc it causes to the planet.
Most of the film will, however, feature a thinly veiled and uneven lambasting of the current US administration, focusing on clear parallels to current affairs like the proposed American acquisition of Greenland, trade disputes between the US and EU and calls to shift to renewable energy with urgency.
Tom Cruise provides an entertaining performance with consistent, albeit shallow, laughs. His character is seriously hindered though from a complete lack of development, reducing audience connection to the film.
John Goodman is a surprisingly good fit for his role as President Compson who, although not mirroring the current US President in mannerisms, delivers a painfully unsubtle, and well-worn, critique of the man.
By the film’s end, audiences can expect a descent into blatant preaching regarding current issues, no longer mediated by any visible satire. This will suit those concerned about humanity’s environmental impact. Those seeing it differently, however, will likely leave feeling castigated and annoyed. Strange and inconsistent pacing dynamics will also confuse the plot, leading the film to further lose its way.
Cruise fans will find an interesting, and unique, approach from the actor. However, the film falls flat from its inconsistent tone, sanctimonious attitude and reliance on exceptionally overused satirical tropes.
Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5
Rated: R
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
In cinemas now
