'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' Review: Nic Cage Meta Comedy is a Bit Caged Up
R: Strong bloody violence and gore, strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use, and language
Runtime: 1 Hr and 47 Minutes
Production Companies: Saturn Films, Burr! Productions
Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: Tom Gormican
Writers: Tom Gormican, Kevin Etten
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Sharon Horgan, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffany Haddish, Lily Sheen
Release Date: April 22, 2022
EXclusively in Theaters
Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage is one of the most iconic actors of our time. His filmography spans from some of the best movies of their respective decade to some of the absolute worst… yet, we love him nonetheless. His impeccable dialect and zany one-of-a-kind charisma that he can crank from one to a thousand in the snap of a finger makes him one of the most engaging performers working in the industry today. So, when you’re as badass and eccentric as Nicolas friggin’ Cage, the right thing to do is have him star as a fictionalized version of himself that pays tribute to his filmography while having him also be in on the joke. That’s what you get in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
From the get-go, director/co-writer Tom Gormican lays out his love for Nicolas Cage in hopes that fans of his works will be in on the joke like the lead is. There are constant references to a vast majority of his films throughout and none of them are played in a mean-spirited or cynical manner. This fictionalized version of Cage is grounded in reality to some capacity by having the mindset of your everyday Hollywood actor. Characterization-wise, he’s depicted in the same way as both BoJack Horseman and Mr. Peanutbutter, for he’s both selfish and oblivious to the people around him but his charisma is still at 100.
The people who get the short end of the Cage stick are his family members. His ex-wife Olivia (Sharon Horgan) is tired of his shit and doesn’t know how to communicate to his daughter Abby (Lily Sheen) without discussing HIS interests with her. He goes out of his way to be the center of attention, even during his kid’s birthday party. After a string of L’s, including being a loser at home, having debts to pay, and being unable to land a role to kickstart his career again, the best viable option his agent (Neil Patrick Harris) gives him is to attend a wealthy Cage fanatic’s birthday party (Pedro Pascal). Throughout the setup, rose-colored glasses aside, you sympathize with this underdog version of Cage who wants to get on top of his game again. Writers Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten walk the fine line of depicting Cage as someone full of himself but still being lovable regardless.
As per usual, Nicolas Cage is exceedingly delightful, for he’s having a blast with the material he’s given. Similar to that SNL Weekend Update bit from 2012 where he appeared alongside Andy Samberg, who was doing his Nicolas Cage impersonation, Cage is completely game and is in the highest of spirits through his performance. Because he’s… well… Nic Cage, he goes above the level of silliness that the bland concept provides for him. Given that we are living in a Nicolas Cagissance at the moment — he had great roles in Mandy, Color Out of Space, Pig, Spider-Verse, and finally portrayed Superman in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies — this is yet another performance we can add to the buffet of good content.
Even though this is all about Cage, the true star of the show is none other than Pedro Pascal as the wealthy billionaire Javi. As Cage sets foot on his remote island in Croatia, Javi is overwhelmed with joy that his favorite actor is hanging with him and the two share a budding bond so well developed that it’s the emotional crux of the film. Pedro Pascal showcases an effortless exuberance and charm that, at times, his madness runs circles around Cage. The love the writers have towards the actor is expressed through Javi and Pascal takes it to the next level. It’s as if Pedro Pascal was harboring his love for Cage and saw this script as the only opportunity to live his fantasy. He encapsulates every fanboy’s personality with his vulnerability and giddy nature. There’s a poignantly written scene where Javi opens up to Cage about the impact his works had on his family. The chemistry that Cage and Pascal share elevates the entertainment value, for they are a powerhouse duo. Their bromance makes the movie so much fun whenever it’s just them hanging out onscreen and shooting the shit.
Ever so often, Gormican adds stylish moments of ingenuity and imagination that both serve as inside baseball to the biggest of Cage fans. One of which is an imaginary young Cage named Nicky who he interacts with Adaptation style, and dons a Johnny Blaze jacket while being a reflection of his good ol’ days. If the two aren’t sharing the screen, he gives you a deep dive into his thespian-oriented psyche and the visuals are intuitive enough that it takes you by surprise in the best way imaginable. It’s the best thing The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent has to offer (apart from the Javi/Nic bromance). This would’ve been an incredibly clever comedy if it wasn’t too hung up on having the laziest plot device ever.
Everyone has an individual perception of Nicolas Cage’s career and the types of roles he tackles. I associate him with some of the most fucked up things I’ve ever seen and he knows how to go the same insane level as a movie’s tone. He understands his assignments. So, it pains me to see that this movie, while utilizing his talent well, is underwhelming in execution. Believe me, while I was at the SXSW premiere screening, I was completely enticed by the film until Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz appeared, portraying two CIA agents who enlist Cage to investigate Javi, who might be affiliated with a kidnapping plot.
Once this spy angle is introduced, the movie diminished its potential to be as fun and inventive as its premise sets it up to be. Sorry to say, but the spy plot device has quickly become the most exhausting and redundant angle you can ever apply to a comedy. If you’ve seen This Means War, The Spy Next Door, Knight and Day, Central Intelligence, The Spy Who Dumped Me, The Brothers Grimsby, American Ultra, Keeping Up With the Joneses, and most notoriously, Cars 2, you can only imagine the stench of mediocrity coming from the humor. The spy angle is used as the biggest crutch for the conflict between Nic and Javi’s budding friendship but it takes up a huge chunk of the movie, becoming completely dumb and unfunny ample times. Unbearable Weight borrows bits, jokes, and sequences from far too many other spy comedies that it’s unbearably derivative on arrival.. Nicolas Cage having to do spy stuff as himself sounds funny in concept but the writers restrict themselves from going as off the rails insane as some of the best Nic Cage movies do. By limiting themselves within the spy box, the film’s quality of humor (and imagination) takes a massive toll. They already did the valiant thing by keeping the love for the actor’s filmography intact but they undervalue his ability by being so restrained cause they’re enforcing a generic plot device that plagues most comedies. It’s basically like a BoJack Horseman episode but if it was written by the team behind American Dad. Wait, I think I just sold the movie to some people by saying that.
Even when it comes to the action sequences during the climax, they’re as poorly edited as they are filmed. Gormican hasn’t much prior experience in directing action and it, unfortunately, shows tenfold during the finale. You got extreme closeup shots of people getting shot and you don’t even see where the bullet lands, for it's completely reactionary. Given that there’s a scene where memorabilia of items from Cage’s repertoire are shown, you’d think some other iconic weapons would be used. Apparently not. Maybe it relates to the film rights or something but the action just gives blandness.
If it wasn’t for the delightful performances of Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal, who have phenomenal chemistry, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent would’ve been unbearably mediocre. You’re gonna love this movie if you’re a big Nic Cage fan, but you might be underwhelmed by the safety of the story and comedy. That being said, it’s an entertaining romp with enough funny moments to put a smile on your face. Nic Cage fan or not, its wholesome love for the leading star keeps it as engaging as his career itself.
