THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (2022) – Nicholas Cage as Nicholas Cage
Rating: ⭐⭐ 1/2
The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal Photo Credit: Karen Ballard/Lionsgate
Like Liam Neeson, Nicholas Cage churns out movies every year with consistent regularity. However, unlike Neeson, Cage’s movies are seldom alike and delightfully diverse. Often times, it is difficult to categorise his films under any specific genre except for perhaps, if we can, refer to them as a typical Nicholas Cage movie! There is one thing that fans kind of expect from a Nicholas Cage movie is for his character to exhibit at least one if not several bouts of eccentric behaviour, in unique Nicholas Cage style. But even this is not a guarantee. Such is the unpredictability level of his films. However, I should point out that not every Cage movie is a hit. His last outing, Prisoners of the Ghostland was a disappointment despite him going overdrive on eccentric behaviour. That film may have been visually avant garde but its plot was simply not comprehensible and I for one, got lost in all the madness.
Back to 2022, and we have a brand new Cage movie to look forward to. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is really a parody of Nicholas himself as he plays a fictionalized version of himself. In it, Cage is a has been superstar and struggling to keep his financial status afloat. It is an inoffensive spoof of himself and of Hollywood in general. Along the way we have some comic references made to Nicholas Cage’s earlier movies and the usual cameos from a few familiar faces. Playing second billing is the very talented Pedro Pascal, who plays a Nicholas super fan with a shady background. Pedro and Cage play well together and they have good comic sense. The plot takes on some elements of danger as it gets involved with the CIA, a kidnapping and a run from gangsters. It is all done in a light hearted and entertaining manner, keeping things moving along nicely.
Tom Gormican is responsible for writing the story as well as directing. He is not particularly well known just having been involved in a few comedies. Nevertheless the film is well directed and paced so not big complaints in that department. Nicholas Cage fans looking for something more violent, eccentric or thought provoking will probably be disappointed. Cage is simply playing himself and so don’t expect any stellar performances from him either. This is more like Nicholas Cage lite or a PG-13 Cage, so manage your expectations and you may enjoy this more than you should.
