The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a must see movie — even if only for the chemistry between Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal.
Nicolas Cage is back in his first studio film in YEARS — The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent — where Nicolas Cage plays Nic Cage (Yes himself) in a comedy that celebrates Cage himself. This is done in an overly meta way, but one that remains a fun way, even if there is one thing to remember — the biggest job of a comedy is to make you laugh and if it makes you laugh you can forgive so much. While The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent contains tons of laughs, there are also many issues that get in the way of it reaching its full potential.
What Works With The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
The premise of the film remains to be the reason to see it — even with its issues. Nic Cage turns it up to 11 playing a higher version of himself than we would expect, but one that also amps up the laughs and fun so high. I continued to smile every single time Cage was on screen and doing something completely out of his wheelhouse, or just in general reminding us why he is one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen.
Cage is able to showcase the weight of being an actor. Being in some of the biggest studio films of all time and then ending up in debt, with family issues, and even taking on smaller low budget films to pay the bills. This what I was so happy to see the film touch on. Arguably it can be said that Nic Cage has been turning in some of his best films in the last five years. Pig and Mandy alone remain to be two of his best films of his entire career. To see The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent celebrate this warmed my heart.
While this is a celebration of Cage and a deconstruction of celebrity fame, I was surprised to also see how well the meta aspect works in behind the scenes of films. Many movies before this have tried, and so little have succeeded. One of the biggest gags in the entire film are a bunch of lines, moments, and Easter eggs from Cage’s career that just add to all of the fun of the movie. Along side Cage is Pedro Pascal who continues to show the world that he can do anything and everything.
This is the first straight comedy that I have seen him do and now I am dying to see more from him in this genre. He brings softness and lovability that it so hard to not smile at while he is on screen. Cage and Pascal are truly irresistible together and are the main reason why this film is a must-see. Plus there is even a running joke about one of the greatest films to ever come out — Paddington 2.
Mixed: The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
Since this is a more fictionalized version of Cage certain changes had to be made to his entire life, and one thing is the relationship between his wife and daughter. Now in real life, he has two sons and has been married quite a few times. I understand why for the purpose of the film they would add in this made-up family and there are some nice funny gags with it but not everything works and this is often the weakest part of the film.
What Doesn’t Work With The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
Speaking of weakest parts, the thing that drags The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent down in a massive way here is the entire CIA subplot. There are two things working against this plot. One, Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz, who I typically love in films, really felt miscast here. They just played varying degree versions of themselves and they dragged the pacing down each time they showed up. They should have found two other actors that would of made more sense to be CIA agents.
The movie would have worked much better is this plot was completely removed. The rest of the story still would have worked, with just a couple of tweaks. Each time the film centers on the CIA subplot, it continued to feel weaker and weaker.
Overall Thoughts
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a must-see movie for Cage and Pascal alone. Both of them are incredible individually, and together they are masterful. I would love to see more of them working side by side, making movie magic. The fun aspects of the film community always made me laugh, but I wish the CIA and family elements didn’t drag the film down a few notches. Still, the trailer sells you on the celebration of Nic Cage, as well as a fun time. If that is what you are looking for, you will be very happy with this movie.
Grade: B-
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