The Unbearable Cage of Massive Cage

Given he has a reputation for being eccentric but, crucially, in no way problematic, Nicolas Cage is in the fairly unique position of being able to star as himself in a film that both has fun with and pays homage to his unique legend. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a love letter to a one of a kind career stuffed with references (although not particularly deep cuts) and also an accomplish piece of work in its own right.

Cage has a blast playing various incarnations of himself and so does Pedro Pascal as his number one fan, wannabe movie maker and potential cartel boss. Pretty much any time the two of them are on screen together is gold, as is any appearance by Cage as "Nicky", an arrogant younger version of the actor unhappy with his older self's lack of movie star cred.

On the downside, not every actor gets so much to work with. Sharon Horgan is very much a standard disapproving estranged wife and given his relationship with his family is such a big part of Nicks character it would have benifeted from being fleshed out a little. Also, the final part of the film is dominated by ho-hum action which, while in keeping with the movies desire to encompass Cages career, is a let down given the excellent, and often hilarious, character work that has gone before.

Despite its flaws, The Unbearable Weight is well worth checking out, genuinely funny in places and packed with heart.

8 Good smooches out of 10.

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