One of the most flat-out enjoyable experiences at the movies in 2022 is coming home on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats—the one and only The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal. There are meta movies, and then there is this comedy/thriller from writer-director Tom Gormican (That Awkward Moment).
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent finds “Nic Cage” in a tough spot, career-wise, and personally. He’s in debt and having trouble making his mortgage and child support payments for his ex-wife and daughter—not that they’d know. He puts on a classic Cage exterior where everything is wonderful and it’ll all work out.
The only thing is, this is “real” life and the landscape that Gormican paints (along with co-screenwriter Kevin Etten) a picture of an actor with sublime talent, who has rolled with the ebbs and flows of an acting career that has known more highs than lows. Right now, it’s more low than high, so when the offer for a cool million to spend the birthday of a wealthy Spanish dude with him arrives, Cage takes it.
We meet his ex-wife and his daughter, and the former couple is doing their absolute best to raise their baby girl without the scars of divorce that so many wear. One can see why he takes the money, especially after spending any amount of time with the tandem of mom Olivia (Sharon Horgan) and daughter Addy Cage (Lily Mo Sheen). Nic Cage wants to be there in every way possible for his child and the woman who is primarily raising her, and that includes financially.
In a fantastic, i.e., realistic, manner, Cage and his host meet in the most awkward of ways. But first, Nic must experience the hurricane that is Tiffany Haddish’s Agent Vivian, who does a “decent” job at pretending to be a huge fan in order to bug him. Her partner, Martin (Ike Barinholtz), is not on board with this idea.
When Cage and Javi Gutierrez (Pascal) properly come face to face the depth of fandom on Javi’s face is palpable. But he keeps it in check and even gives his favorite actor a tour of what is tantamount to a shrine, including a life size mannequin of Cage from Face/Off, complete with loaded gun!
To the surprise of both men, a bromance immediately sparks. It’s not just a one-way street, either. There is much that Nic finds fascinating about Javi and his world. It’s hinted at where his cash comes from (hint: nefarious means), and subconsciously Cage believes his new friend’s legitimacy claim. Honestly, it matters not one bit to the Oscar winner. Instead, they bond over a car chase, tripping on acid (which is supremely hilarious), and essentially trying to avoid those who are chasing them. “They” are getting closer.
The chemistry between Pascal and Cage is electric, profound, and 100-percent believable. May you be blessed with the kinship shared between these two men at least once in your life. Witnessing the two actors bask in the glory that is this story, how it’s written and the lines they get to deliver, often with a straight face, is of supreme joy.
It would be easy for the film to trip over itself with its meta universe. Instead, the experiencing the life of a global movie icon is raw, real and an utter blast to experience for 106 minutes. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, instead, avoids common or mundane tropes and resonates even more so than Being John Malkovich—the last film to effectively and efficiently entertain with its meta-ness.
After completing this gem of a flick, dive right into Glimmers of a Bygone Cage. The almost five-minute featurette finds Gormican and Etten, along with Cage, in what works on many levels—but particularly as a tribute to the man, the legend, the movie star incarnates—Nic Cage. Included in this featurette is a nice bit from the helmer when he shares secrets behind the CGI used to create “young Cage.”
As I’ve alluded to earlier, Everybody Needs a Javi. This featurette spotlights Pascal’s character and how it is seen by filmmakers as the embodiment of the so-called “superfan.” The four-minute, twenty-one second exploration of the entity that is devoted fandom, is so compelling, we could have used more.
Nick, Nicky, and Sergio explore the many characters that all share the moniker Nic Cage. This featurette expertly explores how they crafted many scenes where “Cage appeared with Cage.” It’s an intriguing concept and this featurette will do its job. By that, I mean be prepared to dive back into the movie itself after inhaling this extra.
When the action elements start firing on all cylinders during the middle act, Gormican and Etten were charged with an intense challenge. This film had to evolve from a superfan-centric comedy to an action flick that mirrors the feel of The Rock, Face/Off, and Gone in 60 Seconds. Second Act Action has the major players breaking it down with how a brilliantly laid-out left turn came to exist, and how it catapults the audience into the third, and final, act.
After the film bowed at the South by Southwest Film Festival, Gormican, Etten, Cage, and several other cast members, sat down for a Q&A. The entire sixteen minutes offers even more priceless insight into this wildly original and worthy of repeat viewings film.
There are a few deleted scenes, which can be viewed with or without commentary by Gormican and Etten. What you will want to do is at some future viewing of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, is turn on the audio commentary track that finds Gormican and Etten offering up a play-by-play of how they cinematically achieved the impossible.
Two more bonus features deserve as shout-out, The Mind, and Cages 5 and Up. The former is Cage’s nickname for Gormican while the latter features some “Nic Cage” auditions you do not want to miss, like the movie itself.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A