Paradise for Nic Cage fans, as Nic Cage plays a slightly fictionalized version of Nic Cage, travels overseas to visit an obsessive Nic Cage fan, argues with an imaginary friend (younger, crazier Nic Cage), combats a drug kingpin (not Nic Cage) and writes a movie. Want to guess which Hollywood celebrity he casts in the leading role?
Wacky, tongue-in-cheek and overtly meta-conscious, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent sees Cage leaning into his well-earned public image, embracing his noted private eccentricities and having some fun with his status as a world-class weirdo. He finds a capable partner in Pedro Pascal, who flaunts an impressive set of comedic chops as the aforementioned international fanboy. Together, they see sights and enjoy luxuries while discussing life, love and their favorite cinematic Cage-isms in the same breath. This is fun while it lasts, longer than I'd expect in fact, but eventually we do have to move on from the knowing winks and silly dialogue. At that transitional moment, it fades quickly, in a desperate effort to connect the most effective bits of the first two acts with a grander arching metaphor that's mismatched at best. Lame stuff, really; a limp follow-through to what had been a sharp, intelligent cluster of joyous mayhem up to that point.
While the getting's good, it's a wickedly entertaining ride, but that last half-hour feels like work.
Review by drqshadowBlockedParent2022-08-31T19:39:43Z
Paradise for Nic Cage fans, as Nic Cage plays a slightly fictionalized version of Nic Cage, travels overseas to visit an obsessive Nic Cage fan, argues with an imaginary friend (younger, crazier Nic Cage), combats a drug kingpin (not Nic Cage) and writes a movie. Want to guess which Hollywood celebrity he casts in the leading role?
Wacky, tongue-in-cheek and overtly meta-conscious, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent sees Cage leaning into his well-earned public image, embracing his noted private eccentricities and having some fun with his status as a world-class weirdo. He finds a capable partner in Pedro Pascal, who flaunts an impressive set of comedic chops as the aforementioned international fanboy. Together, they see sights and enjoy luxuries while discussing life, love and their favorite cinematic Cage-isms in the same breath. This is fun while it lasts, longer than I'd expect in fact, but eventually we do have to move on from the knowing winks and silly dialogue. At that transitional moment, it fades quickly, in a desperate effort to connect the most effective bits of the first two acts with a grander arching metaphor that's mismatched at best. Lame stuff, really; a limp follow-through to what had been a sharp, intelligent cluster of joyous mayhem up to that point.
While the getting's good, it's a wickedly entertaining ride, but that last half-hour feels like work.