Netflix’s The Dig is a movie that you may discard, on a first hearing, as it seems like another stuffy British period drama with pretty people in beautiful costumes, coldly reacting to events around them. However, this movie absolutely deserves a chance as it’s one of the most beautifully shot and acted movies in recent history.
The Dig tells the true story of Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes), an archaeologist hired by Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) to dig on her land in Suffolk, England. Edith believes that some treasures may be buried there. Soon, their endeavour is brought to the attention of some representatives from the British Museum and their lives change, in small and dramatic ways, as World War II looms over.
Basil Brown works for the Ipswich Museum in Suffolk, England as the digger of archaeological artifacts. The movie opens as he is summoned by Edith Pretty, a single mother and owner of a land that may harbor a treasure. What starts as a low-key, intimate story between the two, soon takes on a greater meaning as more people join the dig. There is newly married Peggy Piggott (Lily James), who may be stuck in a loveless marriage and Rory Lomax (Johnny Flynn), cousin of Edith, whose life could change due to the incoming World War II.
The story may seem small and devoid of drama but the movie, through its director Simon Stone, finds a way of involving you in the lives of its characters. The score is beautiful and it touches your heart.
The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, by Mike Eley, using only natural light and beautiful sunsets. Unlike many period dramas, the camera is hand-held and always moving, which makes you feel like you’re living in the England of 1939. Eley also uses many overhead drone shots and intimate close-ups – very unusual in period dramas – which makes the movie realistic and tangible. You feel the dirt. You feel the fog. You feel these people’s struggle.
The script is also fantastic and does something that few movies do – show, don’t tell. The director chose to provide us with information through visuals and not through dialogue, therefore amplifying the emotion felt by the characters.
Fiennes, one of England’s great character actors, usually known for the villainous roles that he plays (Harry Potter, Schindler’s List) provides a beautiful performance as Basil Brown. He makes us forget about his other roles as he finds empathy and humanity in his character so much that you want to hug him but also have long conversations with this fascinating and kind person.
Mulligan, coming off another great (and Oscar nominated) performance in Promising Young Woman, also makes the character more interesting that it might have been on the page through her kind eyes and emotional performance.
In a brief but still important subplot, James and Flynn have great chemistry and provide great performances, adding to the movie’s nothing lasts forever message.
I’m sure many of you have scrolled over The Dig as it appeared in your Netflix recommendations. But I can’t praise this film enough. Yes, it’s a small and intimate movie. But it is also very emotional, beautiful and perfect for a lazy day on your sofa, wrapped in your cosiest blanket. It’s a story that will immerse you completely in the lives of people living in 1939 England and it will show you a story of people being real, humane and caring to each other, which is something we could use through these turbulent times. 8.7/10
I guess I’m old but I wouldn’t describe a star of The English Patient, Quiz Show, The Constant Gardner, Schindler’s List, The End of the Affair, The Duchess, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Hamlet, etc., as “one of England’s great character actors.” In my view, he’s a great actor who sometimes portrays supporting roles, and in those supporting roles he often portrays interesting characters….
Hi Hupotasso. I agree with you. By character actor I meant that he is actor that always bring a singular eye to his characters and makes them unique. He is more known for characters than being a movie star and I greatly admire him for that.