Carl Roberts 
“Anthony Maras’ Pressure is an enjoyable look back at the true events surrounding D-Day, featuring incredible performances from Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser.”
As everyone is aware, there have been hundreds of films depicting the true events of World War II. They have come from all nations, not only the UK and the USA. One of my favorites is the German film Downfall, which didn’t compromise on the events in the last days in Hitler’s bunker. Although the story has been told before, director Anthony Maras releases his new film in UK cinemas this week. Pressure tells the story of James Stagg and Dwight D. Eisenhower as the pair worked to plan the Normandy landings during World War II. Stagg’s weather calculations determined whether the landings went ahead. With Andrew Scott as Stagg and Brendan Fraser as Eisenhower, can the film keep us engrossed throughout, or does it buckle under the pressure of its own story?
THE PREMISE
In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg face an impossible choice—launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether.
THOUGHTS
The film won’t be for everyone. If you go in expecting an all-guns-blazing WWII action movie, you’re in for a disappointment. Although at the start and near the climax, we do get some battle scenes, the film is more of a measured drama, a character study of those involved and their actions. Of course, we all know how it played out, but it’s the journey to that vital point that we see here. And despite a few formulaic elements along the way, it succeeds brilliantly for the most part. It is a slow build, a measured approach to the true events that decided the course of the war, told in an engrossing, character-driven narrative that has us holding our breath, even though its famous history.
CAST
The cast takes on their roles and gives them their all. Andrew Scott as RAF Group Captain James Stagg comes across as genuinely unlikeable when we first see him in his official position. Rude, arrogant, unfriendly, Stagg seems to be full of his own importance. But that isn’t the case at all. Stagg knew what he had to do, what was at stake, and what would result if he failed and made the wrong prediction. He also had the added worry of his wife about to give birth to their first child, something that comes into play during the film. Stagg also clashes with the prediction methods used by his American counterpart, USAAF Colonel Irving P. Krick (a brilliant turn by Chris Messina), bringing them to the brink of a fight. Andrew Scott brilliantly plays Stagg, his strengths and weaknesses all on show for the audience to dissect.
Brendan Fraser as U.S. Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower is equally as good. His portrayal of the famous General and future President of the United States shines a beacon throughout the film. In contrast to Scott’s Stagg, Fraser’s Eisenhower comes across as a friendly, understanding, down-to-earth individual, despite the immense pressure he faced while commanding his troops and setting the Normandy landings in motion. Between the pair of them, both Scott and Fraser command the screen, never allowing our eyes to leave either one of them. The two actors deliver a real masterclass of acting throughout.
KERRY CONDON AND DAMIAN LEWIS
Kerry Condon as MTC First Lieutenant Kay Summersby, Eisenhower’s private secretary and confidante, is perfect in her real-life role. Kay always had advice for both Stagg and Eisenhower, standing mostly by the General’s side but deviating toward Stagg when he needed help, advice, and a listening ear. Although the film only hints at it, it thankfully doesn’t delve into the alleged relationship between Kay and Eisenhower. The truth of those allegations has never been substantiated, something the film wisely avoids, focusing mainly on Kay’s professional relationships with the two men. Kerry Condon is always watchable, and as Kay, an Irish member of the British Mechanised Transport Corps, she excels once again.
Damian Lewis plays British Army General Sir Bernard Montgomery. Now, here I have a slight problem. The film doesn’t address the truth of Montgomery and Eisenhower’s relationship, leading the audience to believe they were friends, or at least friendly with each other. The truth is neither man liked the other; they simply didn’t see eye to eye or get along. However, this doesn’t affect Lewis’ performance as the famous British General. He comes across as someone who knows that if the Normandy landings do not happen, the Allies would lose the war. In fairness, Eisenhower felt the same way. Lewis makes his version of Montgomery an affable, friendly, and often funny chap. But when he needs to raise his voice and shout his thoughts out, Lewis’ interpretation comes alive. Instead of having a one-two punch with the lead actors, it has a quadruple punch with Kerry Condon and Damian Lewis.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
Anthony Maras directs the film superbly, making it a taut, tight drama that has us gripping the seat arms as the clock towards staying or going to Normandy ticks down. His attention to detail makes the film a standout, as does the color palette he uses for his scenes. Dark and gloomy one moment, bright and vibrant the next, before shooting the beach scenes in Normandy in an almost washed-out look. Each fits the narrative perfectly. Allowing the audience to experience the highs, lows, and eventual triumph of the subject matter. Maras also elicits possibly some of the best performances ever out of each of his cast members, making the film a real success.
Maras also edits the film and co-writes the screenplay with David Haig, based on Haig’s 2014 stage play. With Haig on board to help adapt his work (Haig played Stagg on the stage), the film has an advantage up its sleeve. With a screenplay true to the events and actors playing their roles to the best of their abilities, the film is miles above many other WWII dramas, thanks to an outstanding script.
VERDICT
Anthony Maras’ Pressure is an enjoyable look back at the true events surrounding D-Day, featuring incredible performances from Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser. It pulls us in, makes us care for what we see on the screen, and has us hooked as we move towards the conclusion. With a written synopsis of how the Allies defeated the Germans within a year, it is left for us to read Eisenhower’s answer to a question that was posed to him years later. Eisenhower, in a 1961 conversation with JFK, credits Overlord’s success to the fact that the Allies “had better meteorologists than the Germans”. That sums up everything that you need to know about the truth of what we have just watched.
This is entertainment that requires us to listen to every word, understand different points of view, and grasp the stakes of what really happened eighty-two years ago. The trust placed in meteorologists and the devastation the Allies faced if they got it wrong. We are not thrust into the horrors of war or the bloodshed. Instead, we are dazzled by a drama that hits every target. Yes, it is a slow build as we head toward that fateful hour, but the tension keeps mounting, and the pressure on us, as an audience, rises as we sit as observers of that moment when the decision is finally made. This is a great drama, without doubt. There’s no Pressure on anyone to go and see the film. But, in my opinion, you’ll miss out on a real cinematic treat.
Pressure is in UK cinemas this week, courtesy of StudioCanal.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
