It is common knowledge that married couples can end up in a rut, and can, furthermore, begin to question the stability of their relationship. Digging for Fire is about a couple who has been together for twelve years and finds themselves in this type of rut. As they plan to spend three weeks at a celebrity's fabulous home, free of charge, their understanding of their relationship and the world around them comes into question. When they first arrive at the house, Tim (Jake Johnson) finds a rusty gun and what appears to be a human bone. This discovery causes some minor difficulties in their marriage and leads to further issues along the way. New faces emerge and further the tension to an already seemingly difficult relationship. Can the two salvage their marriage for the sake of their young child, or will the world that they have become complacent with crumble beneath them?
Joe Swanberg is credited with writing and directing more than thirty films, some of which are truly funny and have deep meaning that is accessible to the masses. His writing, however, often depicts some situations that viewers are not too sure they relate to, but certainly have the ability to understand (i.e. Drinking Buddies). Swanberg teams up with funny man Jake Johnson in an attempt to script another story that resonates with audiences, but with more significance in their worlds than some of his other films. Simply enough, Johnson and Swanberg failed miserably. I find it hard even to call this a complete story, as little to nothing happens throughout the course of the film.
It is difficult to comprehend the duo’s thought process when constructing Digging for Fire. The film consists of red herring after red herring and eventually leads to nothing at all. Viewers are led down a series of paths that appear to be leading somewhere, yet, everything the writers seemingly promise falls to the wayside and ultimately never happens. The constant let downs turn the audience off and leave them stranded on an island of disappointment.
The only positive in this horribly scripted and terribly slow film is the incredibly talented cast that Swanberg and Johnson are able to construct. In addition to Johnson himself, Hollywood superstars such as Brie Larson (Max), Anna Kendrick (Alicia) and Orlando Bloom (Ben) play significant roles in the film. Even with their seemingly pivotal roles in the film, they, like everything in Digging for Fire, leads to nothing. Overall, this film is a dud. It serves no purpose and has no right being considered entertainment. Cover your eyes, run away or unplug the television, but it is imperative that you avoid Digging for Fire at all costs.
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