AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: Paul Heroy on June 08, 2026, 09:19:22 PM
-
(Well, it's based on a historical event that I'm pretty sure we all know how it played out so I'm not sure what spoilers are in that context. ;D)
Saw Pressure in the theater this afternoon. TLDR: I really liked it, and if you are at all interested in WWII history you should definitely see it. Much of it takes place in an office complex, so it's not a war movie that begs as much as most to be seen on the biggest screen.
Pressure stars Andrew Scott as Group Captain James Stagg, the RAF Chief Meteorological Officer for the D-Day operation. As the movie opens, he's leaving his very pregnant wife to join the Allied forces in early June, 1944. That's just the first of a few types of pressure Stagg finds himself dealing with over the course of the film. Soon after arriving at the base, he finds himself summoned to a meeting with General Dwight Eisenhower, played by Brendan Fraser. Intermediating between the 2 is a mix of Kerry Condon as Eisenhower's personal assistant, and Chris Messina in the role of the "other" chief meteorologist, American Chris Messina, who has already served capably at Ike's side for 3 years.
A difference in approach quickly produces a tense rivalry as to who will get the right forecast between the two meterologists. I felt the movie deftly navigated this aspect, giving just a bit of technical detail and the outlines of the 2 different approaches, without getting bogged down in, as Gen. Eisenhower booms at one point, "gobbledygook". The pacing is brisk and conveys the tension and pressure of several challenges over the course of 72 hours that were absolutely critical to get right. There is a lot more historical detail that could have been jammed into it, but was probably wisely left out as so many movies and documentaries have covered those other aspects. One flashback is used early on to very good thematic effect, and it's something I may have heard or read about at one point but had forgotten - as I suspect is true for most who aren't serious WWII buffs - so its inclusion was doubly good. The personal toll of having to make a forecast and decision of this magnitude was illustrated a few times, once again without going overboard with it. From opening scene to the credits role is under 100 minutes, so this is a well done, well paced and tautly edited movie.
The performances were very good all around, notably a restrained one from Scott in the main role. Aside from a few more outwardly emotional moments, he had to convey the intensity of the moment in more subtle ways and I felt he did so very well. Fraser as Eisenhower is physically a good bit larger, but it worked in helping give him a fairly imposing demeanor which was necessary at times.
Very highly recommended.
-
Thanks for the review, Paul. I've had this one on my radar, so I'm really looking forward to it.
-
(Well, it's based on a historical event that I'm pretty sure we all know how it played out so I'm not sure what spoilers are in that context. ;D)
Saw Pressure in the theater this afternoon. TLDR: I really liked it, and if you are at all interested in WWII history you should definitely see it. Much of it takes place in an office complex, so it's not a war movie that begs as much as most to be seen on the biggest screen.
Pressure stars Andrew Scott as Group Captain James Stagg, the RAF Chief Meteorological Officer for the D-Day operation. As the movie opens, he's leaving his very pregnant wife to join the Allied forces in early June, 1944. That's just the first of a few types of pressure Stagg finds himself dealing with over the course of the film. Soon after arriving at the base, he finds himself summoned to a meeting with General Dwight Eisenhower, played by Brendan Fraser. Intermediating between the 2 is a mix of Kerry Condon as Eisenhower's personal assistant, and Chris Messina in the role of the "other" chief meteorologist, American Chris Messina, who has already served capably at Ike's side for 3 years.
A difference in approach quickly produces a tense rivalry as to who will get the right forecast between the two meterologists. I felt the movie deftly navigated this aspect, giving just a bit of technical detail and the outlines of the 2 different approaches, without getting bogged down in, as Gen. Eisenhower booms at one point, "gobbledygook". The pacing is brisk and conveys the tension and pressure of several challenges over the course of 72 hours that were absolutely critical to get right. There is a lot more historical detail that could have been jammed into it, but was probably wisely left out as so many movies and documentaries have covered those other aspects. One flashback is used early on to very good thematic effect, and it's something I may have heard or read about at one point but had forgotten - as I suspect is true for most who aren't serious WWII buffs - so its inclusion was doubly good. The personal toll of having to make a forecast and decision of this magnitude was illustrated a few times, once again without going overboard with it. From opening scene to the credits role is under 100 minutes, so this is a well done, well paced and tautly edited movie.
The performances were very good all around, notably a restrained one from Scott in the main role. Aside from a few more outwardly emotional moments, he had to convey the intensity of the moment in more subtle ways and I felt he did so very well. Fraser as Eisenhower is physically a good bit larger, but it worked in helping give him a fairly imposing demeanor which was necessary at times.
Very highly recommended.
Thanks Paul. I look forward to seeing this one. I almost went to see it at the theater, but sadly we had a death in the family (my father-in-law), so our schedule is very hectic and we probably will have to wait to see it at home. I really wish I could have supported this one in the theaters though. Thanks for the review.
-
Thanks Paul. I look forward to seeing this one. I almost went to see it at the theater, but sadly we had a death in the family (my father-in-law), so our schedule is very hectic and we probably will have to wait to see it at home. I really wish I could have supported this one in the theaters though. Thanks for the review.
so sorry for your loss :'(
-
looking forward to this one
-
so sorry for your loss :'(
Thanks.
-
Condolences to you and your wife's family, David.
As noted, I don't think you'll miss the theater too much on this one. There are some war scenes in the denouement, but the bulk of the movie is a character story set in offices.
-
Condolences to you and your wife's family, David.
As noted, I don't think you'll miss the theater too much on this one. There are some war scenes in the denouement, but the bulk of the movie is a character story set in offices.
Thanks Paul. Rougher on my wife than on myself. They weren't very close, but it's still her dad, if you know what I mean. I'm dreading the day her mom goes though...those two are thick as thieves and talk multiple times per week, if not, multiple times per day.