The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Nick Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous super-fan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.

What a fun movie THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT is! The story is, of course, nonsense but Cage and his onscreen bro, Pedro Pascal (Javi Gutierrez) have such chemistry and approach the script with such commitment, they pull off an entertaining, riveting, wonderfully crazy ride. It turns out to be a delightfully rewarding action comedy.

It is refreshing to see a movie celebrity poking fun at the Hollywood egoism that often comes with the celebrity status. And because Nic Cage is playing himself he can mount this satire by poking fun at himself. The story rips along at an excellent pace and the dialogue is witty and whacky.

For anyone familiar with Cage’s body of work, there are lots of references to his past performances. But you don’t need to know his movies intimately to enjoy this one. Just watching Cage perform here as himself is a wonder to behold. Sure, it gets cheesy at times. But it doesn’t matter. That’s all part of the fun. There are also some surprising emotionally deep moments in the story.

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT is a great ride. If you’re not a Nic Cage fan yet, you will be afterwards. And if you are already, you are going to relish every moment. I left the cinema on a joyful high. Don’t miss this one!

(Opens in cinemas in Australia on April 21. There are some prescreenings around – check your movie guide for your local show times.)

OTHER MOVIES I’VE SEEN:

• FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE (2022) – Albus Dumbledore assigns Newt and his allies with a mission related to the rising power of Grindelwald. – *** 
• NOBODY HAS TO KNOW (2021) – Phil, a robust middle-aged man suffers a stroke, causing him to lose his memory. Millie, who takes care of him, tells him falsely that they were secretly in love before his accident. – ***½ 

STREAMING:

• YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER (2022) – In a North Dublin housing estate Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family. – ***½
• THERE IS NO EVIL (2020) – The four stories that are variations on the crucial themes of moral strength and the death penalty that ask to what extent individual freedom can be expressed under a despotic regime and its seemingly inescapable threats. – ***½