The Dig

The Dig
Starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily Janes, Johnny Flynn
Directed by Simon Stone

"What will people think of me when I'm gone?" "How will I be remembered in the annals of history?" "Will I be remembered at all?" The issue of legacy is something that people think about more often than they want to admit, and some worry that they'll be forgotten entirely. Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name." This is what fuels archaeologists and historians, who without their tireless efforts, we might never know half of what we've been able to discern about our own history. "The Dig" is a fictionalized true story about one of the greatest archaeological finds in history, and how it impacted those who discovered it, as they too grew concerned about how they would be remembered.

Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) is a wealthy widow who hires working-class excavator Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate a series of burial mounds on her land in Sutton Hoo, England. Basil has no actual education, but he's from a long line of excavators and who himself is driven by the thrill of the dig and the prospect of finding something that will immortalize him - even though that isn't his main desire. Together with a small crew, he manages to unearth a ship that was used as a burial site of someone who was distinguished, which draws in a huge crowd of archaeologists and intellectuals including archaeologist Charles Phillips (Ken Stott), Edith's cousin Rory Lomax (Johnny Flynn), and married archaeologists Stuart (Ben Chaplin) and Peggy (Lily James) Piggott. Eventually they unearth the burial chamber and discover a wealth of riches, as Edith's health begins to deteriorate. The lives of everyone involved in the dig of the century will be eternally affected by the outcome of the dig and the precious items they find hidden under the ground.

Many films highlight those tremendous, tour-de-force moments where a lead character offers a resounding speech or a bustling diatribe that resonates and echoes throughout the film, but "The Dig" is no such film, despite its historical importance. Instead, each victory is met with a quiet, thoughtful resonance that might not be as "cinematic" as other films, but who leaves a surprising moment behind after the movie ends. I found myself thinking about it after it ended even though during it I found it rather understated in its execution - but that was the point of the film. Director Simon Stone allowed the dig itself to be the main focus, to highlight the importance of being an archaeologist and the low-key excitement of uncovering something that no one thought existed.

To further push his effort to make the dig the most important aspect of the film, Stone makes the movie itself an ensemble piece, where you feel like you're watching several movies at once. The film starts off with Edith and Basil's working relationship, and how these polar opposites (Edith living in wealth and privilege, while Basil lives literally paycheck-to-paycheck) came together with their shared love of history, and their desire to leave a legacy. Then the film focuses on Stuart and Peggy Piggott, and their faltering marriage due to Stuart's desire to work and seemingly not be interested in Peggy at all sexually, while she finds solace in Edith's cousin Rory, who himself is planning on joining the RAF to fight in the upcoming World War II. Throughout these different stories, the dig remains the central focus, bringing them all together for a singular purpose and altering the course of history - past and future.

This ensemble cast is extraordinary, and its no surprise why. Carey Mulligan showcases an elegant elegance as Edith, who is more than just a wealthy widower, but a woman who has a fondness for archaeology and history, who doesn't devalue people based on their wealth, and who is struggling with her own physical illness, and she does so with grace and sophistication that proves her as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses. Ralph Fiennes wholly encompasses Basil Brown, a man who is led by his passion but also worries about how history will see his contribution - or even if he'll be recognized at all, due to his lowly nature. Johnny Flynn plays Rory with a heartfelt sincerity, Lily James portrays Peggy Piggott with an underlying intelligence and fiery nature, while Ben Chaplin plays Stuart Piggott with an aloofness that hides a hidden desire that he feels can't be quenched. Throughout the film, there's not a real villain to hate, and every actor brings something unique and memorable to the table, even if you don't notice it at the moment.

Cinematographer Mike Eley beautifully encompasses the dig with the lavish, lively backdrop of the English countryside that's almost untouched from the incoming war, save for fighter planes flying from time-to-time, and delivers unforgettable views that are, as the characters' performances, subdued yet memorable. Likewise the score by Stefan Gregory is tender and low-key, but also provides its own resonance that again isn't fully appreciated until after the film ends, wanting you to re-watch it to gain an even more appreciation for the dig itself.

Providing a stellar ensemble cast, vivid imagery, and an underlying important story, "The Dig" maintains a sophisticated, subdued nature throughout that doesn't rise or fall on strong moments, but proves that the entire film itself is a powerful moment, a crowning achievement in history that would've gone unnoticed if not for the passions of those involved.

The Score: A