From SlashFilm · Bill Bria · · 1m 20s
Tom Cruise Plays Spiritual Sequel To Oscar-Winning Film
Tom Cruise stars in Alejandro Iñárritu's 'Digger', a spiritual sequel to 'Birdman' that reimagines art's role in crisis.
In brief
Tom Cruise stars in Alejandro Iñárritu's 'Digger', a spiritual sequel to 'Birdman' that reimagines art's role in crisis. Tom Cruise portrays an actor playing a fictional oil tycoon in a play about climate change and billionaire rule, continuing Alejandro Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film 'Birdman' as a spiritual sequel…
Digger's twist reveal
Digger isn't about the fictional oil tycoon who caused an apocalypse but about Tom Cruise playing a fictional actor in a play.
“Digger isn't necessarily about Digger Rockwell, the fictional oil tycoon who inadvertently causes an apocalypse”
Tom Cruise's role
Tom Cruise plays Curtis Markson, an actor searching for his daughter while arguing with director Hannah about his performance.
“Curtis Markson, is portraying digger in a play about the man's life entitled fossil fools”
Spiritual sequel
Digger is a spiritual sequel to Iñárritu's 2015 Oscar-winning film Birdman, continuing its themes of art and artists.
“Digger feels like inárritu continuing the conversation about art, the artists who make it, and their effect on the world that began in birdman”
Theatre homage
Both films pay homage to John Cassavetes' 1977 film Opening Night, using fictional plays to comment on art's value during crises.
“Both birdman and digger pay homage to john cassavetes' opening night from 1977”
Art's role in crisis
Curtis questions art's value when satirizing a fictional oil tycoon who caused climate disasters and billionaire rule.
“Curtis is so consumed with the dystopia that the real digger and other billionaires/politicians/et al helped usher in”
Real Digger revealed
Kenny, the play's benefactor, reveals himself as the real Digger's nephew to reassure the cast about art's importance.
“Kenny (jesse plemons), the play's benefactor, reveals himself to be the real digger's nephew”
Art's purpose
The film shows art helps remind us of mistakes while uplifting spirits, offering absolution through creative expression.
“Both riggan and curtis find a kind of absolution through their experience on their plays”
The one thing
Tom Cruise portrays an actor playing a fictional oil tycoon in a play about climate change and billionaire rule, continuing Alejandro Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film 'Birdman' as a spiritual sequel.
