Brendan Fraser takes on the role of Dwight D. Eisenhower in a gripping new trailer for the World War II drama Pressure, as his Hollywood resurgence continues to gain momentum. Following a decade-long hiatus from the limelight, Fraser made a triumphant return, earning widespread acclaim and an Oscar for his performance in the 2022 film The Whale.
Plot and Historical Context
The film centres on Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander, meticulously planning the D-Day invasion during the critical 72 hours leading up to the operation. Eisenhower is depicted grappling with intense anxiety after the disastrous failure of Exercise Tiger, a rehearsal for the Normandy landings that resulted in significant casualties.
Key Characters and Cast
To avert another potential catastrophe, Eisenhower enlists the expertise of Royal Air Force meteorologist James Stagg, portrayed by Andrew Scott, to provide accurate weather predictions for D-Day. In the trailer, Eisenhower emphasises the stakes, stating, 'This is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The fate of the war, thousands of lives hinge on this,' before demanding, 'I need a forecast.'
The ensemble cast includes Damien Lewis as Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and Kerry Condon as Eisenhower's wartime secretary, Kay Summersby. Chris Messina appears as American meteorologist Irving P. Krick, who also contributed to the D-Day planning efforts.
Conflict and Tension
The trailer highlights a clash between Krick and Stagg, with the American confidently predicting 'calm and sunny' conditions, while the British meteorologist warns military leaders of 'a succession of two aggressive storms.' As tension escalates, Montgomery issues a stark warning: 'If D-Day is canceled, we will lose this war.' He further cautions that any delay would allow the enemy to be 'ready and waiting,' potentially leading to devastating losses.
Eisenhower confronts Stagg, questioning why he should 'trust' the scientist with the lives of '300,000 men with families that they may never see again.' Stagg responds firmly, insisting, 'We must face the facts - the facts, however frightening they may be! The storms that I am talking about are real, and the wrath of nature is real.'
Production Details
Pressure is directed by Australian filmmaker Anthony Maras, known for the 2018 thriller Hotel Mumbai. Maras co-wrote the screenplay with English playwright David Haig, based on Haig's 2014 stage production. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on May 29, followed by a UK debut on September 11.
Fraser's Career Revival
This project marks another milestone in Fraser's Hollywood renaissance, which began with The Whale, his first major role in nearly ten years. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film featured Fraser as a wheelchair-bound, 600-pound gay man, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor in March 2023. During his emotional acceptance speech, Fraser reflected on his career, noting, 'I started in this business 30 years ago, and things - they didn't come easily to me, but there was a facility that I didn't...I didn't appreciate at the time until it stopped.'
Fraser's career faced challenges after he alleged being groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Berk, who was expelled from the HFPA in 2020, has disputed Fraser's account. Despite these setbacks, Fraser has since appeared in notable films such as Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon and the comedy Rental Family.
The release of the Pressure trailer follows recent news of Fraser's return to the Mummy franchise for its upcoming fourth instalment, further solidifying his comeback in the entertainment industry.
