Review: ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ Is a Delight

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‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ is one of 2022’s biggest surprises. While, on the surface, it seems that this movie is pretty self-explanatory, my advice to anyone planning to see it is to avoid any spoilers going in. There’s more to this movie than an over-the-top Nicholas Cage. It’s a charming yet delightful look at fandom and the attraction the limelight can have over someone. Cage plays a neurotic version of himself, and apparently, he’s fallen on hard times. The roles are starting to dry up. He owes Sunset Tower 600,000 dollars. Any hopes of having a decent relationship with his daughter and ex-wife are seemingly dwindling by the second. In the hopes of getting a quick infusion of cash, he decides to accept a 1,000,000 dollar offer to visit Javi (Pedro Pascal), his biggest fan, and to celebrate his birthday. What Nick doesn’t realize is that The CIA wants Javi.

Screenwriters Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten have crafted a fun and plausible tale of redemption. Nick is trying to find himself now that he has decided to “quit acting,” while Javi is trying to be more like himself, not as he is perceived. Kind of hard to achieve that when you are an international terrorist. While Cage is certainly hysterical, Pascal is who sells this movie. He nails the part of Cage’s #1 fan. What could be better for Cage than hanging out with someone who worships him? Things do take a turn when the CIA recruits him to help track down where one of Javi’s prisoners is. Cage’s over-the-top nature sells this moment, and there’s one moment in particular during his “mission” where the theater was roaring with laughter.

‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ opens everywhere on April 22nd.