The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

I’ve regularly made fun of Nicolas Cage for never meeting a script he didn’t like. Or, more likely, a paycheck. Mr. Cage has been in 20 films in the last five years, including this month’s The Old Way. Even though he’s won an Academy Award, he’s sometimes viewed as a horrible actor. Personally, I think it comes down to the sincerity of the people making the films in which he appears. If they don’t care, Nicolas Cage doesn’t care. But in 2022’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Cage is cast as, well, himself. A fictionalized version, to be sure, but one that shares many of the same on-screen tendencies as the real Nicolas Cage. The result is one of his most enjoyable performances.

The film’s version of Nicolas Cage finds himself considering an end to his acting career. His marriage to Olivia (Sharon Horgan) is over. His 16 year old daughter, Addy (Lily Sheen,) resents him for always pushing her to be interested in things he likes. So, finding himself broke, Cage accepts an offer of $1 million to appear at a birthday party in Spain. The party, thrown by affluent Nicolas Cage superfan, Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal,) becomes secondary to espionage. Two CIA agents (Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz) enlist Cage to search Gutierrez’ compound for evidence of a kidnapped girl.

To give too much more away would be a disservice. To call the film meta is simplifying things but it is accurate. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent simultaneously (and somewhat effortlessly) juggles several unique ideas at once. And, somehow, it also features elements of the type of bargain bin action film that Cage might find himself in had he not done this one. The script — co-written by director Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten — brilliantly accounts for this. I won’t say exactly how, but the characters are aware that the film they’re in needs a mainstream action plot to sell the best parts. And those parts — of which there are plenty — are the scenes where Nick and Javi share their feelings about movies, friendship, and emotions.

Pedro Pascal shines as Javi. He brings a boundless enthusiasm to the role. His ever present need to impress his hero gives the film’s sometimes ridiculous action scenes levity. Pascal is fabulously likeable and instantly charming. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite actors.

Cage deserves the attention he’s received for this film. Contrary to what one might think, playing Nicolas Cage does require him to act. He even channels his younger, Wild at Heart self as “Nicky,” his unbridled conscience. He’s delightfully self-effacing in both roles. Sharp-eyed Cage fans will have a field day picking out the Easter eggs from his career littered throughout the movie. Hearing Cage commenting on his own roller coaster filmography is priceless.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent had me grinning from ear-to-ear for the entire ride. Hardcore cinephiles should enjoy the myriad of “inside” references to the film industry. Casual action fans should find enough mindless gunplay to satiate their need for “typical” action fare. Those that can find the humor in the film’s duplicitous set-up and execution will get the most enjoyment out of it. I certainly did.