The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (Mini-Review)

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a movie where Nicolas Cage plays a fictionalized version of himself. Nick Cage has accumulated a massive amount of debt and he isn't landing many roles. The debt and family problems make the actor think he should change professions. After one final gig, where Nick has to make an appearance at Javi Gutierrez's birthday party, he plans to quit. Things are complicated when the CIA wants Nick to spy on Javi for them. Things are complicated even further when Nick forms a deep friendship with Javi. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent was released in 2022. It was directed by Tom Gormican. It stars Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Sharon Horgan, and Tiffany Haddish.

I was interested in this movie because I like Nicolas Cage. He is a talented actor in his own right and I wanted to see a movie where he basically mocks himself. I thought that the trailers promised a fun time at the movie theaters. While it was a fun time from start to finish, it veered a little more to the dramatic than I expected. Such as the very first scene of the movie involves a girl being kidnapped.

This movie explores how acting can affect a person. Nick Cage believes he's an artist and seeks to perfect his craft. Though he does have his doubts from time to time. Meanwhile he has another persona he talks to called Nicky Cage. This persona is a younger version of himself who only believes in becoming a star. Throughout the movie Nick and Nicky debate over the best course of action with each having their own wants. I would have loved to see more of Nicky in the film.

Cage and Pascal work well with each other. They make it appear as if they are the type of people who connect instantly upon meeting. I would like to see them working together in more things after this. Each actor supported the other so jokes landed each time. Other people in the theater laughed which doesn't always happen. Most times people are quiet.

I wanted more focus on Nick and Javi as those tended to be the funnier bits of the movie. I went in expecting that a good majority of the movie would be about the men developing a quick friendship and the antics they got up to. Instead the CIA plot takes up a good majority of the film. Nick is captured by two CIA agents who get him to spy for them. So after the initial day with Javi, Nick is conflicted about spending time with his new friend. Oh, the CIA think that Javi kidnapped the girl from the beginning.

Nick has a strained relationship with his family. Because he is so devoted to acting, he doesn't have much time left over to spend with his wife and daughter. Hence his wife has decided to divorce him. Then there's the fact that he tries to force his views onto his daughter no matter what she thinks. So it's no surprise that Nick and his family issues have a subplot of their own. One of my favorite parts of that subplot is when Javi tries to help Nick with his family issues.

I would recommend The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent to fans of Nicolas Cage as this movie is made for you. I would also recommend The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent to those looking for an entertaining comedy.