The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent review

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From Movie Insider

The official movie poster for the film from Lionsgate.

In a big weekend for non-franchise original films, Nicolas Cage’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent opened on April 22nd. Cage stars as a version of himself, once a celebrated actor, now in financial ruin and struggling to find a gig. Even worse, his relationships with his daughter and ex-wife have been deteriorating. The tired celebrity retires from acting and reluctantly takes a $1-million offer to be a guest at a rich Spanish fan’s birthday party… where everything changes.

Pedro Pascal displays his comedic chops after his serious performances in the likes of The Mandalorian and Kingsman: The Golden Circle with his portrayal of Javi Gutierrez, Cage’s playboy superfan. The audience grows to know and love Javi alongside Nic Cage, his childlike enthusiasm rendering them unable to hold back their smiles. Not only did Pascal’s performance provide viewers with one of the most lovable characters in recent cinema, he also strikes the chord in his partnership with Nic Cage. The two match each other’s energy perfectly, and their hilarious dialogue and demeanors not only makes for a funny but also an endearing partnership.

As for Nicolas Cage… in a movie tributing the great actor of Face/Off, National Treasure, and Leaving Las Vegas among quite literally an uncountable number of films, there was no better casting choice than Nicolas Cage, himself. Nicolas Cage’s interpretation of Nicolas Cage’s iconic acting style was nothing short of eerily accurate. In all seriousness, Cage mocking himself in a lively buddy comedy made for an enjoyable viewing. Arguably, a movie like this with any other actor would not have been anywhere near this engaging and well-executed.

Lily Mo Sheen, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, and the other supporting cast were able to bring it all together, always adding to the hilarity or the genuinity of the scene. The scenery was beautiful, the Spanish island of Majorca providing gorgeous shots of cinematography and color.

All in all, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent provides a fun watch even for those that aren’t fans of Cage, as the writing and the chemistry between actors keep audiences laughing and engaged. The lovability of the main characters keeps the audience rooting for them throughout the film. This movie is truly, a win for cinema everywhere.