New Releases: Verity & Digger
Two very different movies, but two different levels of...well, suck might be too strong a word...
Let's start with Verity. We have to end this Colleen Hoover experiment. Or let's end the popular, fun, but crappy beach-read-turned-movie experiment. I am the first one to encourage people to read books, any books, at that too...I don't care if they're smut, nonfiction, good, bad, or graphic novels or comics. Everyone should read. You'll never see me judging you on what you read...ever.
But let's go back to my point: not every popular book should be made into a movie. Verity is just another film in a long list of novel-to-film adaptations that might've been a fun read, but made a terrible movie.
Verity centers on a novelist tasked with finishing a very popular, well-known author's work. To complete this mission, she moves into the family's house, and that's when the weirdness starts.
Do we blame all of this on Dakota Johnson? No, but even her nipples couldn't save this movie. As a friend said, she's the Kristen Stewart of Sydney Sweeney actresses and I can't argue with that. She's becoming increasingly known for stiff, robotic performances. She can't elevate bad scripts; Madame Web is proof. (Please, if you haven't watched it, don't) The script is THIN in this movie and some lines are wince-inducing. And as good as Anne Hathaway is, she has had 2 good movies (The Odyssey and End of Oak Street) and 2 bad movies this year (Mother Mary and Verity). I haven't seen The Devil Wears Prada 2, so I can't judge that one.
This movie was just a mess. The story, even if you haven't read the novel, is fairly predictable. When it does get interesting, you can tell the author cared more about avoiding a clear answer or resolution than telling a good story. Don't waste your time or money on this movie. Go to your library and read the book. 2.5/5
And now we get to Digger...
I am a HUGE fan of actors taking risks in their careers, ESPECIALLY when they're established, so kudos to Tom Cruise for taking that leap.
However...risks also don't guarantee a home run or success. I applaud the effort, but I have to call balls and strikes here. Digger took a swing, but missed more than it connected. (It's still technically baseball season, so I'm being seasonal.
It's sort of hard to give you the plot of Digger because there is a significant plot twist in the movie and I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I will say this: It's messy. If you wanted to pull off a twist reminiscent of an old Jim Carrey movie, there could've been ways to do it. Nothing in the trailer clues you into what this movie is really about, and I think that definitely hurts the marketing. The trailer doesn't connect with anyone because they're keeping the actual plot under wraps, so when you experience this film for two hours, confusion overrides any enjoyment.
What works: Digger is loaded with talent: Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Michael Stuhlbarg, etc. Like I said, loaded. And each of them is incredible in their roles. In my humble opinion, Riz is leagues above everyone else in this movie, but despite what you think of the film, each actor is truly fun to watch. And the plot twist IS semi-unique, which makes it more intriguing than the trailer suggests.
What doesn't: when the twist is revealed, the plot in that reveal lacks the sauce. I can't go into much of the plot in this section of the movie, but it could've been more impactful, playing off what you do see in the trailer. A dramatic juxtaposition would have been a better choice because, when the movie does flip-flop back and forth, you don't care. How do I say this without spoiling the movie? Hmmm...one angle should have included a more powerful, realistic view than the other. I'm dancing around the plot so much lol.
Is it worth a full ticket price? No. I have a feeling most people will be let down for $20, but is it worth a $5/6 night? Absolutely. Have fun with it. Criticize it. This is what film is for. 3/5
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