Anybody out there enjoy being disappointed? Pioneer boasts so much potential. Its subject is provocative, its cast is talented, and its director is responsible for the acclaimed Norwegian thriller Insomnia. It also never hurts to have a cool poster. Go ahead and check that on off the list, as well. These elements suggest a well-made and exciting film about Norway’s early efforts in offshore drilling is in store. I was imagining something claustrophobic and intense. I was imagining it would offer a mood that would stick with me, but here I am… totally comfortable, writing about its mediocrity in my pajama pants.
Petter (Aksel Hennie) and his brother, Knut (Andre Eriksen), are on a team of commercial offshore divers working on a joint project between the governments of Norway and the United States to establish the first submerged oil rig off the Nordic coast. Tragedy strikes when Petter momentarily loses consciousness during a hazardous point in the mission, and Knut is killed by the ensuing accident. When Petter becomes desperate to prove he is not at fault, asking other parties for information is strangely difficult. Allies fall silent, people disappear, and enemies close in. It seems something bigger than Petter’s integrity is at stake.
There you go: the makings of an entertaining conspiracy flick. Entertaining, perhaps, but certainly not as much as it should be. Furthermore, while we might expect to see something new from such a talented group of filmmakers, we find ourselves in rather familiar territory. We recognize almost every story beat as they dutifully float to the surface. Considering this is based on a true story, the production might have suffered from the restraint of historical accuracy.
JUST KIDDING!
When has that ever been the case? I can’t really speak for Norway, but The Truth has never been that formidable an obstacle to creativity in Hollywood. Remember all those totally untrue “true” ghost stories you’ve seen?
Not all the details come from well worn plot ways. One scene in particular, wherein Petter must cure himself of pressure sickness in ten minutes could really have been something great. Somehow, nothing in this movie seems to have been designed or crafted, though, but simply put in its place for the sake of a swift completion instead. The story moves along, placing each piece of the puzzle where it belongs often enough to keep you watching, but it doesn’t add up to much of a picture. The art doesn’t really show up until the final two scenes, and although these moments are striking and smart, it’s too little, too late.
Time to dive deeper.
