★★★★
- Nicolas Cage plays the role of a lifetime
- One of the most meta films ever made?
- A movie for the fans or general audiences?
After having featured in more than 100 movies, Nicolas Cage has developed a reputation for playing a series of eccentric and extraordinary characters.
From Leaving Las Vegas to Con Air, from Ghost Rider to National Treasure, one can never predict what the eclectic thespian will star in next.
Despite being apprehensive about the initial idea of the film, Nicolas Cage accepted the opportunity to play the role of a lifetime.
Plot:
Nicolas Cage is an internationally-recognised actor.
In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, he plays another such person of the same name. However, the success of his career has given him an ego that makes it difficult for him to adjust to family life.
Planning to quit acting to focus on his relationship with his ex-wife, Olivia (Sharon Horgan) and their daughter Addy (Lily Mo Sheen), Cage agrees to accept $1 million to attend the birthday party of rich fan Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal).
Despite initially being as enthusiastic about the event as Ronny Camparerri is about his brother’s wedding in Moonstruck, the two men bond over a shared love of movies.
However, things are not all as they seem, as the CIA begins looking to recruit Cage as a spy.
The story is tongue in cheek, never wasting the opportunity to break up a potentially serious scene with another gag. While some may dismiss this as slapstick, the jokes are clever enough that the the plot does not dissolve into a vehicle for cheap funny moments.
Nicolas Cage fans will be sure to appreciate the myriad of references to his past features as well.
Characters & Acting:
Despite having featured in various bad movies, Nicolas Cage remains a star due to his ability to perform with absolute sincerity.
He taps in to his ability to go over the top, playing his alter ego from Wild at Heart in order to explore the egotism of this main character.
He and Pascal make an effective double act, with the latter man continuing to search for the movie that makes him a real Hollywood star.
Horgan and Sheen fit in serviceably as Cage’s family; meanwhile Neil Patrick Harris plays his agent in a movie that is generally less boring than his last appearance in The Matrix: Resurrections.
Fan Response:
#TheUnberableWeightofMassiveTalent is one of the best action comedies I've ever watched. Also loved the self awareness and dynamic between Nick & Pedro.
9.5/10
— Hazellnut (@n_hazell_) May 9, 2022
Just saw The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. It absolutely rocks, a big meta love letter to Nicolas Cage with shout-outs of Paddington 2 and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Easily the funniest film of the year so far, catch it it you haven't pic.twitter.com/6DvYQLotkv
— Ross (@OneWingedKaiju) May 11, 2022
If you love Nicolas cage you have got to see this one !!
8/10 Amazing film @ElvisTheAlienTV check it out pic.twitter.com/zqf9CXbxtd
— Ω Heaven_night93 Ω (@Heaven_night93) May 14, 2022
Conclusion:
In the one hour and 46 minute runtime, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent parodies celebrity culture, action movies, comedies (ironically enough) and most of all, Nicolas Cage films.
This makes it appealing to fans of Cage and comedies, although fans looking for a more genuine look at the actor’s personal life may find themselves disappointed.
The primary drawback is that the runtime may overstay its welcome for some viewers. A 90-minute runtime may have been a better fit for picture overall.
