Nicolas Cage haters, stop reading now. Because Nicolas Cage is starring in a new movie about Nicolas Cage that progressively reveals why Nicolas Cage is an essential movie star.
Movie review
Running time: 107 minutes. Rated R (language throughout, some sexual innuendo, drug use and violence). In theatres.
The argument? To quote the actor in the satire Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: “I’m motherf–king Nicolas Cage!”
We Cage supporters enthusiastically agree with this assessment.
The riotous comedy is something like Cage Your Enthusiasm. Like Larry David on the long-running HBO series, Cage plays a fictionalized version of himself who can’t do anything right.
Nic’s career has stalled, he’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and his marriage has collapsed – he’s living apart from his wife (Sharon Horgan) and daughter (Lily Mo Sheen) at the Sunset Towers Hotel and drinking whiskey like water.
When his agent (Neil Patrick Harris) receives a $1 million offer for Cage to fly to Mallorca and spend a weekend with a wealthy fan, Javier (Pedro Pascal), the actor has no choice but to be in to board a plane to Spain.
Nicolas Cage plays Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Katalin Verme
Shortly after his arrival, however, he learns that two FBI agents (Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz) are on the hunt for his Spanish host, believing he has kidnapped the daughter of a political candidate.
Says Haddish to Cage, “I loved you in ‘Croods 2’!”
There are so many delicious jumps in his unpredictable resume: Gone in 60 Seconds, Face/Off, The Rock, National Treasure, they’re all in here. Pascal – whose sensitive, goofy performance comes as a surprise – gives an emotional speech about how he and his father were brought together by Guarding Tess. Hilarious.
Nicolas Cage (left) and Javier (Pedro Pascal) form an unusual Spanish bromance. Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate
Javier, an aspiring screenwriter who wants the actor to star in his film, and Nic become unlikely friends. They go cliff jumping, start writing a movie together, and cry on Paddington 2.
And when “Unbearable Weight”, directed and co-written by Tom Gormican, turns into an action film in the second half, the gags don’t let up.
“You’re a fast runner,” says Javier during a chase.
“How do you know?” Nick answers.
“The ‘National Treasure’ making-of featurette.”
It might sound like a gimmick, but it’s as good as any action comedy you’re likely to see. Cage amplifies his already big personality just enough to ensure the film rises above a skit. We care deeply about the fictional Nicolas Cage.
We whisper, “God bless Nicolas Cage.”
As Hollywood grows more self-serious than ever and obviously can’t take a joke – hello, Will Smith! – It’s good to have guys like him around. His self-deprecating sense of humor is an oasis in an industry where most people swagger like UN diplomats.
Again for the back row: Nicolas Cage!