Nicolas Cage is back for his most Nicolas Cage movie yet, as he actually plays a version of Nicolas Cage called, um, Nick Cage. But is the film as good as the premise sounds? You betcha...
Director: Tom Gormican
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish
Running time: 107 minutes
It appears we’ve entered the meta-verse. In the last year, films like Matrix: Resurrections and Scream have built their narrative from a position of vivid self-awareness, bringing real-world commentary into the fictional worlds they create. Yet for all the cognisance of these movies, the most meta of them all has only just arrived. And it is a belter.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent follows Nicolas Cage as, um, Nick Cage, a movie star who is desperately trying to rekindle his dwindling Hollywood career, holding out for one last big break. However, when that big break falls through and he’s left in crippling debt, he has no choice but to accept a millionaire’s offer to join him in Mallorca for his birthday party - with acid-fuelled hijinx, high-stakes subterfuge and a brush with a blood-thirsty cartel ensuing.
It is the unlikely relationship that develops between said millionaire, Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal), and Cage that carries the film. The chemistry between the leading duo is encapsulating from the very first moment they share the screen; Pascal’s blushing, fanboy-esque giddiness feeling pure and engaging, Cage’s over-the-top egoism adding eccentricity and surrealism. Together, they create a buddy-comedy dynamic that feels fresh and fun.
Even when this dynamic is put to the test, as narrative developments force them to turn on each other, they find a way to keep things charming and entertaining, never undermining the strange connection they share. As the script itself alludes to, these plot points do sometimes feel forced, almost dropped in solely to provide “trailer moments” that can attract people to the cinema, but the sheer charisma of the pair ensures that the story remains interesting throughout.
In an era where top quality comedies are few and far between, this marks a truly impressive entry into the genre
These meta elements of the film work well throughout, providing what seems like some genuine catharsis for Cage himself - whose own star power has threatened to fade over the years. The 58-year-old deserves credit for leaning into the self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek approach to his persona and his career, and his trust in director Tom Gormican is repaid in full, with Cage’s character getting real development and emotional depth. One particular thread, in which modern-day Nick chats to an imaginary, younger version of himself, helps to dive into his complicated psyche in an amusing, but genuinely impactful, way.
Where the film falters slightly, though, is in its pacing. As this unravels into full-blown action-comedy late on, the runtime starts to drag, with the film feeling like it has reached its natural conclusion on several occasions, only for it to draw out the finale for no discernible reason. Had it streamlined its final act, and kept things to a tight 90 minutes, it would have been near faultless.
Despite this misstep, though, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is an undeniable success. In an era where top quality comedies are few and far between, this marks a truly impressive entry into the genre. Packed with genuine emotion, humour and originality, it is well worth a watch. And, yes, for anyone who is concerned, Nick Cage is back - not that he went anywhere, of course.
Did you know? At the end of principal photography, the whole cast was gifted a pillow with Nicolas Cage's face on it - each autographed by himself.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is available in cinemas from Friday 22 April
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