"The Dig": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
The solemn narrative, subdued performances, and litany of poorly constructed characters weigh heavy on a film attempting to resurrect the brilliant work of real-life archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes). While noble in its venture, "The Dig" doubles down on its cliched story and off-key subplots that distract from Brown's fascinating personal life. Even though its engaging cinematography (Mike Eley) and grandiose score (Stefan Gregory) are uplifting, "The Dig" remains toothless.
Based on a true story, an established self-taught archaeologist (Fiennes) and wealthy landowner (Carey Mulligan) embark on a historical dig.
Between Basil Brown (Fiennes) and Edith Pretty (Mulligan), there is a rich history to be told. But Pretty's charitable real-life contributions or Brown's sparkling intelligence rarely are touched upon. Instead, its main focus pivots halfway through to a boy's struggle with his ill mother and a girl falling out of love with her husband. "The Dig" slowly dissolves into Hollywood melodrama and that's not only a shame for the film's overall quality but further casts a shadow on Brown and Pretty's positive impact on history.
Gregory's ambitious score and Eley's handheld cinematography are the only defining points in a film that winds up getting in its own way. The tedious direction by Simon Stone and pretentious screenplay by Moira Buffini further bury its own ambitions. Edith Pretty and Basil Brown deserve better.
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