The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Recently I had the privilege of viewing the movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. A movie with everything I didn’t know I needed in a movie. A movie made for the delectation of movie watchers of multiple genres. At the beginning of the Journey, which lasts 1h and 47m, the viewer is introduced to a thirsty, struggling Nick Cage trying desperately to obtain an acting role to keep afloat in life. It leads to an amusing breaking point at his daughter’s party. It is here he gives a speech that starts off as any loving doting father who embarrassingly loves his daughter, but quickly turns into a drunken nosedive of a rant, exhibiting his struggles and hardships for all. This leads to the further deterioration of his personal home life.

The journey then traffics us to Mallorca Spain. Where the most endearing onscreen relationship begins to develop between Nick Cage and a billionaire Javi Gutierrez. The relationship resembles that of a childhood playfellow, even swapping shoes at one point. The on-screen banter and random shenanigans are spontaneously ludicrous and hilarious while dealing with some serious crime allegations and other serious atrocities.

The journey ends with plenty of action following an earnest acting scheme devised by Nick Cage, his wife, and Javi that is ultimately uncovered and the real identities revealed. Making their gallant plan more challenging. However, the heroes achieve their heroics and some turning it into art.

The movie has plenty of references to other films and inspired me to spend my next day off looking into a couple. I delved into watching The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari and Paddington 2, both comically referred to. The first deserving of its own analysis.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920's film that is 74min in length. It is a prime exemplar of horror mystery and the art of set design. I was struck by a scene with just a steep staircase and the use of contrast that was as strikingly eerie and inviting all at once. Truly beautiful. This striking contrast is viewed in many scenes. In a study scene there are nonsensical wavy lines drawn on the floor leading to a book cluttered desk, but the design aesthetic is strengthened by its presence. Each detail adds to the overall ambiance and effect giving feeling and depth to otherwise stagnant scenes. Plus I'm sure any viewer from today makes associations with Dr.Caligari character as similar to the penguin played by Danny Devito and Francis played by Friedrich Feher as similar to Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) or the Crow (Brandon Lee).

Paddington 2. Well, it's true. Plenty of touching moments wrapped in an adorable playful plot. It had me saying "agreed" in response to the reference in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. AGREED!!!

The film references many other movies such as Adaptation, Leaving Las Vegas, FaceOff, Con Air, Guarding Tess, Raising AZ, Moon Struck, The Croods, Donnie Brasco, etc . The references include re-created scenes or more overt methods; Examples being Nicky from the Nicolas Cage Terry Wogan interview and the Leaving Las Vegas pool scene. The movie also makes reference to Nicolas Cages stunt work over the years.

I am a fan of movie stars and movies but have never personally made it a point to know about their personal lives. I am always wary of information provided about personal lives simplified to an article. Where individuals went to school, learned/ studied under, worked with and even traveled is interesting, but I don't have the time or memory for these facts unless I know you. Let me clarify that it is not that I do not care. I like to view movies as art, taking it in as a whole. Sometimes, picking apart and dissecting a film is not necessary for its enjoyment. Acting is also a job where if done correctly I wont be thinking of the actual individual but rather the character. I hope I haven't lost the film buffs and movie cinephiles that I deeply respect because I am not saying it is not important or necessary. I often turn to these individuals for interesting facts and further information on aspects of a plot, but more explaining a preference of mine for how I like to view movies on initial viewing. If I like the movie on initial viewing as a stand alone maybe even unaware of certain references then I will deep dive into things, but never before.

After watching this movie I was curious how much of it was truth. After briefly researching the topic I found it is a very lose adaptation of the real Nicholas Cage. For instance he has two daughters instead of just one as portrayed in the film and apparently has always made them a priority. He is not the energetic spasmodic individual portrayed in the film, but rather more a homebody. Content to be at home with his pets. I think most would agree, the aspect of truth found in the movie could be assumed from viewing it. For me it was as expected, and had no impact on my judgment of the movie.

The movie depicts the struggle of an aging actor in Hollywood and how tough the profession can be for even the cinema royalty. It also made me reflect on actors and when they are acting. It seems to me some actors are most comfortable acting, that is who they are. So then would normalcy outside of acting be when they are truly acting? When they are uncomfortable? Either way I respect the significant others of these individuals. They would be difficult to read. At one point Nicolas Cage references his abilities to read individuals as a shamanic thespian. He has been quoted as saying he likes the term shamanic thespian because "What early shamans would do is go into flights of imagination to find answers to help their village. I like looking at it like that." Verses the term actor which has a liar connotation. However, I'm sure even a couple shamans have used their flights of imagination to help themselves at times or to extend the scope of possibilities. The term itself having origins to Siberia and the Tungusian tribe.

Nicolas Cage movies are dependable. If someone is over and you dont know what they are into a Nicolas Cage movie is a safe bet. They tend to have something for everyone. He has made plenty of good ones to choose from too!

Now please watch this movie and just enjoy the movie for what it is. Dont take it too seriously, let yourself be entertained and humored.

-Bohen, Kayleena Pierce; 2022, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: 10 Easter Eggs Only Die Hard Nic Cage Fans Will Get, Screen Rant, 7.26.2022, www.screenrant.com.

-Gokhale, Stuti; 4.20.2022, Is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Based on a True Story?, The Cinemaholic, 7.26.2022, www.cinemaholic.com.

-Laufer, Berthold; 1917, Vol 19, American Anthropologist: Origin of the Word Shaman, pg.361, 7.26.2022, Jstor.org

-Marsh, Sarah; 12.31.2021, Call Me A Thespian Not An Actor, Says Nicolas Cage, The Guardian, 7.26.2022, www.theguardian.com.

-Puchko, Kristy; 4.22.2022, Every Movie Name Dropped in the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent & Where to Watch Them, Mashable, 7.26.2022, www.mashable.com.