Review of Diggers (2007) by Eric F — 13 Aug 2008

"Diggers" is the kind of movie that i've always cherished. It's a movie with absolutely no objective and no set destination. It simply exists. We meet these characters who have already been living, and they continue to live on long after the running time of the film. And yet, it's so much more than a "day in the life" film. It's a film that pays fine attention to detail in terms of it's building of relationships, and it's characters are always learning and evolving in such subtle ways. While "Diggers" is certainly not a perfect film, it's a film that you just want to hug every minute of. While watching it, all I could think of doing is getting a boat and just fishing in the middle of a secluded river for awhile. It's so environmental... like "Into the Wild", you can practically smell everything from the lush greens to the smoky bars. While the film isn't your typical structured narrative, this is certainly the kind of movie that is a blast to spend time with until it ends.

"Diggers" is set in the 1970's on the south shore of Long Island. The United States is currently in a state of renewal after the Watergate scandals, and the local clamdiggers find themselves up against corporations taking away their water. When Hunt (Paul Rudd) shows up late to work one morning, he discovers his father dead in the water. Hunt isn't sure who to blame - the corporation, the work, the cigarettes, or himself. His sister, Gina (Maura Tierney), has started sleeping with Jack (Ron Eldard), a ladies man and friend of Hunt, in order to find comfort.

While Hunt is the most prominently featured in the film, the other clamdiggers are equally charismatic and appealing. Frankie (screenwriter Ken Marino) is an in-over-his-head father who is struggling to keep a decent living to support his three children. We often see him yelling at his wife or his kids, but we almost forgive him by the end. He's a loving man who's simply stressed and always on the verge of absolutely collapsing under the pressure. He's selfish, sure, but he does have good intentions. The fourth of the men is Cons (Josh Hamilton), who is a drug dealer that greatly irritates the others by reciting quotes from philosophers and authors. These characters are the heart of the film, and the focus of the film isn't a "plot", it's simply an exploration of emotion and relationships.

It goes without saying that Paul Rudd is one of the most likable and appealing actors in film today. He has a great presence, and he shows in this film that he's also a very powerful dramatic actor on top of being the lovable and charming goofball. He has especially strong scenes by himself, particularly near the end of the film where he talks to his father's ashes. However, the character I was the most enthralled by was Frankie's, who seems like the typical jerk husband until you get to know him. He's very self-centered, but proud. For instance, there's a scene where his wife confronts him with news of another child on the way, and after she brings up the possibility of abortion he replies "You want to kill one of my kids?" To him, it's not their kid, it's his kid. He works his butt off to support them. In fact, it's a nightmare trying to support the family because of corporations taking away their water... so much to the point where in a humiliating moment he has to fill out a resume for the corporation he's been protesting. It doesn't seem he was always a bad guy, it's just that the stress of his family and his work has simply left him short-tempered.

Another relationship I really loved was the one between Hunt and a Manhattan girl that he flirts with, Zoe (Lauren Ambrose). Hunt's character is so well written and in the hands of another writer and director this would be awful. For instance, as a photographer there's scenes where he'll take pictures of her or around her... but, he's not like that kid from "American Beauty". He's not quiet and overly sensitive. It's just a hobby. This is such a realistic portrait of real life - there's absolutely nothing idealized, and nothing thrown over the edge by silly cliches.

For many people, "Diggers" may seem too directionless and plodding. However, I found it to be an absolutely engrossing story due to the strength of it's characters and relationships. My one complaint would be that some of the less important characters like Cons and Jack didn't get enough screentime, but it's certainly better to leave an audience demanding more than pleading for less. This is a really quiet, charming, and lovable little dramatic comedy. I'd highly recommend checking it out on NetFlix's Instant View.