The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: Film Review
When I was initially approached with the opportunity to attend the world premiere The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and write a review of the film, I was hesitant. I’m not the biggest Nick Cage fan in the world, I was honestly of the opinion his films were corny, lame, and they peaked at National Treasure, as that was the last film of his I recalled seeing. After all, a film of Nicholas Cage, of all actors, playing himself? Even from the first trailers appearing on my Instagram feed I was skeptical on whether the finished product would be a watchable film for people who weren’t devoted Cage enthusiasts. What I was surprised to find was an endearing love letter to Nick Cage himself, his fans, and his work. The metatextual narrative was refreshing, the comedy left the whole theater in a roar of applause and laughter multiple times, and it even had some homoerotic tension between the main leads and Cage with… himself?
The film begins as a character study on Cage himself, highlighting his broken relationship with his fictional daughter and wife due to his overcommitment to his work. This first act portrays Cage as an egotistical, washed-up actor struggling to find work. Feeling his career is over, he takes a risk by attending the birthday party of a self-proclaimed Nicholas Cage superfan played by Pedro Pascal. From here the film transforms into a spy-action drama in which the CIA uses Cage as a special operative to uncover the dark underbelly of this superfan’s cartel operation, believing him to have kidnapped the daughter of a South American political candidate. Throughout the film, Nick and Javi desperately try to draft a film together. Believing that Cage’s estranged relationship with his family is giving him writer’s block, Javi flies his family out to his compound in Spain. We discover later that Javi, Pascal’s character, is being manipulated by the real kingpin, his cousin. Cage’s daughter Addy, played by Lily Mo Sheen, is then kidnapped by the Javi’s cousin, and the film reaches the climax after Cage stabs the kingpin of the operation. The film closes on the final product of the film being a dramatization of the film we watched with the family reunited, clearly in higher spirits than what we saw in the first act.
"Nick Cage (Nicolas Cage, left) enjoying a welcome drink on Javi Gutierezz's' (Pedro Pascal, right) compound in Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate
The film being drafted by the main characters is a metatextual commentary on the movie we’re watching. While Javi and Nick are drafting the film, if you listen carefully, their ideas for the film line up with the plot points. At one point in the story, in an instance of foreshadowing, the main characters change their story from a character driven narrative structure to an action film. They even say the meta film has “something for everyone,” which rings true for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Even those who normally don’t enjoy Cage on screen will appreciate this one. I really liked this method of storytelling because it sets it apart from other films. It’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before.
There are countless references to the earlier works of Nick Cage, and likely most of them flew right over my head. Some of the few I did catch included Cage walking into the pool and having Javi dive in after him, referencing Leaving Las Vegas. Javi’s grotesque wax sculpture of cage holds replicas of the golden guns he wielded in Face/Off. Even internet culture is referenced when Cage notices a sequin pillow of his face hiding among the collection of memorabilia owned by Javi.
Tiffany Haddish ("Vivian", left) snaps a quick selfie with Nicolas Cage. (“Nicolas Cage”, right) while undercover at the airport in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. Photo Credit: Karen Ballard/Lionsgate
It's clear that the film was a labor of love for director Tom Gormican. In fact, Cage originally wasn’t interested in the film until he discovered how much appreciation for his workGormican held. Cage said during a Q&A after the screening, “Tom wrote me a very thoughtful, very enthusiastic letter, and I realized that he wasn’t trying to do like a(n) Andy Samberg SNL sketch mocking whatever so-called Nick Cage is, but that he was actually interested in some of the earlier work and wanted to maybe showcase that…”
Now, let’s get into the gay stuff. The film immediately gets representation points for casting everyone’s favorite gay Neil Patrick Harris as this fictional Nick Cage’s manager. Early in the film they go into a spa to receive a very homoerotic massage in which a masochistic Harris enjoys a flogging session on a massage table while Cage is visibly uncomfortable.
Neil Patrick Harris ("Richard") chats on the phone with his client Nick Cage in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate
The chemistry between the main leads is incredible, and when viewed through a queer lens adds another level of depth to their relationship. One of the first interactions between the leads, Pedro Pascal comes out by the pool clad in only a button down and a speedo. Call it a European thing, but through a queer lens, one might see this as an invitation to gaze. Nevertheless, Cage seems to act a bit shocked by Javi’s openness.
Javi Gutierrez' (Pedro Pascal, right) attempts to hide their paranoia that people are watching them. Javi Gutierrez' (Pedro Pascal, left) and 'Nick Cage' (Nicolas Cage, right) zooming through the mountains of Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate
Javi’s obsession with Cage is claimed to only be a parasocial appreciation of his work, but come on, who are they kidding? Anyone that keeps a wax figure of their idol must be a little bit attracted to them. They even exchange an “I love you” near the end of the film, despite this being handwaved away with Javi being attracted to his assistant. Bi representation, maybe?
Of course we can’t talk about homoeroticism without touching on the scene in which Nick Cage makes out with a younger version of himself who also happens to be a figment of his imagination. It’s the only explicitly homosexual act on the screen, so I had to mention it if we’re speaking on queer theory.
Overall, the film really does have something for everyone. Cage’s campy acting, the over the top action, the adorable bromance between the leads, the genuinely laugh out loud comedy, all of these aspects wrapped up in a little bow results in an amazing feature for both Cage fans and haters alike. This film changed my perspective on Cage’s career, and I can see it doing that for others too. See it in theaters April 22nd.
