The first minutes of “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” see Nick Cage (Nicolas Cage playing a fictionalized version of himself) talking to director David Gordon Green about the lead role in the director’s upcoming film. As Nick assures Green that he could do the Boston accent, he then goes off and surprises the latter with an impromptu audition, full-on Cage mode.
“Holy shit,” was all Green could mutter.
Directed by Tom Gormican based on a script he co-wrote with Kevin Etten, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is a meta-comedy that touches upon themes of fame and passion, and how to keep the passion burning when fame seems to have already faded. One can look at the film as either a semi-autobiographical account of Cage’s life or simply a surrealist affair along the lines of “Being John Malkovich.” Whatever the case, the film gives the audience a role Nicolas Cage is born to play.
And just like David Gordon Green, we can only mutter the same words.
A Surrealist Meta-Comedy that Maximizes the Star’s ‘Massive Talent’
Talking to his therapist who presses whether his relentless pursuit of work indicates his lack of happiness with the way his career is going, Nick replies that he’s “never viewed it as a career—only as work.” And when she surmises that the reason he feels pressure to land said role is due to a decline in acting ability, Nick dismisses the notion, saying he just wants the role.
“I need this,” Nick tells his therapist about the part. “This could be a game changer.”
In reality, though, Nick is scared shitless. The offers have dried up, and now he’s looking for that next great film he can star in. No matter how hard he hypes himself up, his inner self knows that it’s basically all or nothing. In fact, during a conversation with his imaginary self ‘Nicky’ (who sports the look of Cage’s character Sailor Ripley in “Wild at Heart”), the latter also agrees how much Nick needs the part. If successful, the actor could stop taking any role coming his way and instead be more selective. Channeling Miles Davis—raspy voice and all—‘Nicky’ tells Nick that sometimes it’s about “the notes you don’t play.”
A Million-Dollar Offer Nick Can’t Refuse
While waiting for the callback for that game-changing role, Nick meets with his agent (Neil Patrick Harris). He’s got a job for Nick: a million dollars, guaranteed—but not to star in a film. Instead, Nick would be a birthday party guest for a powerful man who’s a big fan of the actor.
Unsurprisingly, Nick chafes at the idea, only for his agent to remind him that his debts keep piling up. It doesn’t help that the paucity of film offers he receives coincides with the divorce settlement from his latest marriage and his own spending habits.
In a tight spot, Nick ultimately accepts the offer and flies to Mallorca, Spain to meet his ‘fan.’ This fan comes by the name of Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal in a scene-stealing role), a billionaire Cage diehard fan whose passion includes writing a screenplay, in the hopes that his idol read it and—who knows—star in it.
Oh, he’s also on the watchlist of the CIA.
Despite the weird situation he finds himself in, Nick knows that this ‘gig’ for Javi (if one could call it that) could help dig himself out of debt. However, as things take a nasty turn, Nick has no choice but to become a version of some of his most iconic characters on-screen in order to save the day.
Good Things Happen When One’s ‘Massive Talent’ is Put to Good Use
It’s a valid point to state that the filmmakers are themselves superfans of Nicolas Cage. In a way, they use Javi as a narrative device to channel their own fanboyism toward Cage. The homages to the actor’s diverse roles are all over the place—from “Moonstruck” and “Face/Off” to “The Rock” and “The Croods.” The film even examines the budding friendship between the two; which is something this critic believes justifies Javi’s integral role in the whole film.
So why is this important? Because the film, down to its core, is a tribute to the central massive talent on-screen. Regardless of the overall quality of the films he takes part in, the performance Cage gives is always on-point. Indeed, his career is a case study of the ebbs and flows of an actor’s career. One look at his credits and we see Oscar-winning roles alongside Razzie-worthy duds. For every “Mandy” or “Pig,” there are a couple of direct-to-video snoozers.
As an attempt to lovingly parody the central character’s filmography, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” makes sure to tap Cage’s unbridled energy and dial it up to eleven. The results are like his filmography—it doesn’t work all the time. Fortunately, the quieter moments are where the actor actually shines the best.
While Nick’s priorities might be summed up with, “this could put me back in the game,” before adding, “…not that I went anywhere,” the realization later on that his pursuit of passion for his craft has affected not only himself but also his family is a tender moment of acquiescence. Maybe even the most massive talent can falter with his pursuit of professional excellence if in return he could be a better husband or father.
A Career High for Nicolas Cage Destined for Awards Glory
A scene wherein Nick and ‘Nicky’ talk about the former’s lack of strategy in making movie-star choices on what roles to play pays homage to Cage’s dual role in 2002’s “Adaptation.” Interestingly, that film marked the last time the actor received an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor.’ Will ‘Massive Talent’ bring Cage back to the top—where he rightfully belongs?
Once a Box Office draw, Cage’s career took a nosedive when a string of films failed to rake in profits; some even failed to break even. This, coupled with his own spending habits, got him into trouble with the IRS and other private creditors. It was then that Cage resorted to acting in bad direct-to-video movies; not only to pay off his debts, but also to care for his elderly mother.
Nonetheless, despite the negative reception of his straight-to-video films, Cage has maintained that he never phoned it in. This explains why Cage landing the lead role for “Massive Talent” is a poetic example of art imitating life…imitating art. For what it’s worth, the film feels so cathartic. Watching Cage in this film validates his stance that whatever project he agreed to do before, he always gave it his all.
Here’s hoping that the actor has finally turned the corner for good; just in time for better roles ahead that allow him to shine the brightest the way only he could. And if so, then ‘Massive Talent’ serves as a perfect metaphor for a comeback that’s way long overdue.
To put it simply: may this be the film that gives Nicolas Cage a well-deserved awards glory next year.
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in March 2022. It will be theatrically released on April 22, 2022.
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