‘Pressure’ review: The brilliant Andrew Scott takes on Brendan Fraser in tense D-Day drama

You’d think every story ever told about World War II would have been told by now. But Anthony Marras’s new film explores a fascinating, little-known episode involving the preparations for D-Day and the crucial weather forecasts that would determine the success or failure of the invasion. It features an award-worthy performance by Andrew Scott in the lead role and strong supporting turns by Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, and Chris Messina. pressure It lives up to its title with its expert action that builds constant tension.

Based on the famous play by David Haig, the film takes place during the 72 hours before D-Day. The story begins with the arrival at the Allied headquarters in the historic 19th-century Southwick Mansion of Scottish meteorologist Dr. James Stagg (Scott), who has been appointed to head the weather forecasting team for the invasion. Although he’s proud of his new position, he’s not particularly happy to be here, given that his pregnant wife Liz (Tamsin Topolski) is about to give birth.

He is also not pleased with what he sees of the operation, which is currently headed by American meteorologist Irving Crick (Messina), who has worked successfully with General Eisenhower (Fraser) before in several military operations. Stagg soon comes into conflict with Crick, who relies on historical weather patterns collected over decades in his forecasts. Stagg considers the data irrelevant and relies on his science-based approach instead. He also upset Eisenhower by telling him that long-range forecasts were unreliable, and that “anything longer than 24 hours is a long-range forecast.”

Eisenhower and his team of generals, including Briton Bernard “Monty” Montgomery (Damian Lewis, leaning into his tempestuous role with gusto), have planned the invasion for June 5, 1944, a date that Crick has blessed. But Stagg insists that the weather will be very rainy and stormy that day and will result in the failure of the invasion. It’s a prospect Eisenhower dreaded, especially since he was emotionally traumatized by his role in planning Exercise Tiger, an invasion rehearsal that went disastrously wrong and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of soldiers.

Stagg recommends postponing the invasion for a few weeks, but maintaining secrecy for long would be nearly impossible. The resulting clash of wills between Eisenhower, Crick, and Stagg forms the heart of the drama, as Ike’s loyal personal assistant Kay Somersby (Condon) attempts to lower the level of anger. The film also depicts the closeness between Ike and Somersby, although no reference is made to the alleged relationship between the two.

The film’s theatrical origins are evident in minimal settings and long exchanges of dialogue, most of which are stuffed with dense meteorological jargon. But Maras, working from a screenplay he co-wrote with the playwright, does a great job of opening up the action to make it feel cinematic, including judicious use of archival footage from the era. Running a fleet of 100 minutes including credits, the film proves compelling throughout even though we clearly know the outcome. As is the case with such films All the president’s men and Apollo 13depicting the process involved, and never feeling discouraged, is what grabs our attention.

To say that Scott gives a great performance is now redundant, but he outdoes himself here, not bothering to make the prickly, inquisitive Stagg likable but making us completely identify with him nonetheless. The way he skillfully reveals deep emotions without resorting to histrionics is a marvel, especially in the scene where Stagg hears potentially devastating news on the phone. Marras keeps the camera tightly on the actor as he barely seems to react as he calmly asks a few brief questions, but the pain he conveys is palpable.

Frasier initially appears to be a mistake, as he bears little resemblance to Eisenhower other than his shaved head. He also appears very emotional at times for the Supreme Allied Commander, who was known for his controlled temperament. But it is effective nonetheless, poignantly conveying the pressure Ike was facing at this crucial moment in the war.

Condon, exuding the same assured confidence she had as a racing engineer F1: The moviegives the film a quiet emotional heft, while Messina does his usual solid work as the meteorologist who eventually accepts the fact that he’s been outdone.

maras previous movie, Mumbai hotelwas an unnerving film about a real terrorist siege. He’s obviously working smarter here, however pressure No less riveting.