About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nick Cage.
Let me start with this thought. I had NOOOOO idea what to think when I first watched the trailer for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, especially the Red Band one. All I knew is that regardless of what any of the chatter was, curiosity had gotten the best of me and I would see this as soon as possible. Nicolas Cage has been acting for more than four decades, and like just about every other actor’s career, while finding success, there’s also been much muck to wade through. In recent years however, Cage has sort of reinvented himself by taking on projects with a much smaller budgets and lower expectations, but has somehow gained traction in the film industry while also making really good stuff.
In the last five years, Cage has turned heads with Mandy (2018), Color Out of Space (2019), Willy’s Wonderland (2021) and possibly his strongest performance yet, Pig (2021). Riding this momentum upward, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent looks to surf on the waves of both the familiar and the unknown to create a spectacle that CANNOT BE MISSED! Nicolas Cage shies away from nothing as leans into this sometimes satirical look into his storied career as an actor. It takes a lot of confidence and bravery to poke fun at ones self, even in a mockingly fun way.
Even though Nicolas Cage is just being ‘Nic Cage’ here, performance is remarkable. Are you really acting if you’re playing yourself? I think the answer to that is yes and Cage pours his soul out while giving his all to see in this action comedy. His chemistry Pedro Pascal leads to a great bromance that is enjoyable from beginning to end. Pascal has done an increasing amount of comedy in his later roles and definitely can carry the vibe. His performance her is no different. Joining them are Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Sharon Horgan and Lily Mo Sheen. While not totally an ensemble comedy, each of these talented actors, along with others, have their moments to shine.
There are many moments for laughter and there are also some touching, self-reflective moments scattered throughout. I feel as though The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will help you to see Nicolas Cage in a different light while also appreciating what an entertaining actor he can be. Maybe not all of his roles are the best example of this, but he clearly has massive talent.
It’s interesting how this movie is kind of like life imitating art, imitating life. This is part of the reason that The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is just so dang enjoyable. I fully recommend checking this one out and seeing what all the fuss is about firsthand. Grab your tickets and your midsections and prepare for some good laughs, oohs and ahhs as Nicolas Cage just does a wonderful job of literally being himself. See it in limited showings starting later this evening and then in theaters everywhere starting Friday, April 22. And just remember, he’s Nick EXPLATIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE Whoo, Cage! It’ll make sense when you see the movie.
