Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan’s birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones.
Some movie debates never seem to grow old. Instead, they gather new strength as social media gives them new air to breathe. They include age-old debates like “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” “Citizen Kane vs. Paddington 2?” and “Is Nicholas Cage a good actor or not?” People have written essays to answer that final question, and here we are, down the long road of Cage’s one-hundred-plus movie career. “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” knows Cage’s tendency for dramatic situations and leans into them by giving him stakes and a friend. The buddy comedy nestled at the heart of this film makes it stand out and helps us laugh because whether or not Nicolas Cage is a good actor is beside the point.
We meet Nick Cage, now a wisened older actor, lamenting his strained relationship with his daughter. Yes, he’s fallen for some money schemes, but he’s never met a role he didn’t tackle full force. Now, with a failing relationship with his daughter, Cage is looking for a way to connect. Enter Pedro Pascal’s Javi. When Javi invites him to his kingdom for an exclusive meet-and-greet. Cage charms his way by finding a close friend and stumbles into a wild action-adventure. Meanwhile, the CIA needs him to expose his most recent friend, tearing poor Cage apart.
The thing that works so darn well for this movie is Cage and Pascal’s chemistry. These two bros pull it together and our favorite moments involve the two of them watching “Paddington 2” and crying together. Their off-the-walls friendship really drives the film up a notch or two. It’s also the meeting point for the most meta-commentary of the whole film. Obviously, it’s a film about Nick Cage starring Nick Cage, so he will take some potshots at his career. Through Javi, we see Cage reminisce about decisions in his career that were made for him, and the films he references get into the weeds with deep cuts big film fans would know.
We’re invested in Cage and his new friend when the action comes into play. It sweeps up the script, and we zip through the film. The stunt sequences rule, and the punchlines hit at just the right time. This movie, while being outlandish, gets to have its cake and eat it, too.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with Nick Cage’s entire filmography, you’ll find plenty to love about this movie. It’s sappy and sweet. It’s generous to Cage and his extreme acting methods. A dysfunctional family, at its core, provides the stakes we all need. Lastly, the buddy chemistry is unbeatable. If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy two bros hanging out in gorgeous Croatia, you should check this one out.
In Theaters Friday, April 22nd
