The Dig

So few movies today capture the emotion and artistry of storytelling better than 'The Dig'. It's based on a true story that was beautifully made. It combines amazing performances by a magnificent ensemble along with majestic cinematography. I absolutely loved this movie and enjoyed every moment. If ever there was a Netflix movie that deserved Oscar consideration this one would be it for me. You will not be disappointed.

The movie was a bit of a culture shock for me. In Denmark we have similar mounds to the one being dug in the movie. They're often left untouched as a form for respect to the dead. Whether it's a recent law I don't know - but archeological finds in Denmark belong to the state. Always. It's actually illegal to not report findings to a museum because it's a national treasure, you *technically* don't own it, even if it's on your land. I enjoy the movie, I thought the storytelling was great. The fact that it was based on real events made it even greater. I'm digging it!

A rather unusual story of an "excavator" (really an archeologist would hasn't gone thru formal training) and an ailing widow with a young boy gets an excellent treatment, from the direction, cinematography and the actors until halfway thru when a new set of characters get introduced and the film shifts gears to a very predictable romance between a young woman married to a stuffy academic and an about to be enlisted strapping young man. The married couple actually makes no dramatic sense as we are not given any backstory as to how this marriage happened or how the wife only now figures out what's wrong. Now if somehow the original characters were integral to this second story it would have been different but it like we are watching another movie that was filmed next door and the actors from the first were asked to come in and be extras. But I must give kudos to a film that makes watching people brushing dirt of of ancient artifacts interesting.