Actor Spotlight: Nicolas Cage
Get in the Cage with us as we recommend a couple of the actor's best performances
The one thing you can never say about Nicolas Cage is that he’s not interesting. And there’s perhaps never been a better time to turn our attention to one of the most absurd and compelling actors of the last few decades. His work in the 2021 indie drama Pig earned some of the best reviews and accolades of his career (Drew and Billy both had the movie in their top 10 last year). In theaters this weekend is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, where Cage plays a version of himself, and the action-comedy has been garnering great reviews and serious hype so far.
Although he’s in the middle of a Cage-aissance right now, the iconic actor has definitely made more than his fair share of stinkers. However, the man is a cinephile that loves making movies. This is a guy that followed up an Oscar win by immediately starring in The Rock, Con Air, and Face/Off. Above all, he’s a consummate entertainer. Here’s a couple of our favorite Nic Cage performances, and make sure you check out his other movies we’ve recommended in the past under the “From the DYLA Archive” section.
Billy recommends…
Mandy
I thought Nicolas Cage had done every genre imaginable before I saw Mandy. A metal-psychedelic-horror-action movie is something I don’t think he has checked on his bingo card. Mandy is about a simple couple named Red Miller (Cage) and Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough) who live in “The Shadow Mountains” in what looks like the Pacific Northwest. The striking and memorable beauty of Mandy imprints in the mind of our main villain, Jeremiah Sand. He reacts by destroying the simple lives of Red and Mandy to try and recreate what they have in his own life.
What ensues is an absurdly violent and beautifully shot revenge tale that takes time to enhance this simple tale with quiet moments. These quiet moments create a deep connection for our lovely couple. Justifying the absolute rampage that Red goes on later. The group that attacked Red’s family and house are seemingly an amalgamation of the nine circles of hell. They are violent bikers with seemingly no soul who just might be the coolest group of henchmen I have ever seen. Not cool in that I want to join the gang, but cool in that they fit perfectly into the vibe of this movie.
They are about the only adversary that can match the energy that Nicolas Cage brings to a movie. And that is why this movie is so special. Some directors just know how to create environments where Cage can thrive. Cage brings his full spectrum of range to Mandy. There are moments that showcase that he is truly one of our best living actors and moments that satisfy the manic Cage that we have all grown to love. Director Panos Cosmatos keeps the story simple, creates a gorgeous and bloody environment that enhances everything around it, and unleashes all of Cage’s talents. This is not a crowd pleaser Cage suggestion, but for fans who are willing to go on any journey with this wonderful actor. I can assure you, you have not been on a ride like this before.
Streaming on Shudder
Drew recommends…
Adaptation
What’s better than one great Nicolas Cage performance? Two in one movie. In the brilliant, extremely meta dramedy Adaptation, Cage plays screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (the actual writer of the film) and his twin (and fictional) brother Donald. Just like in real life, Charlie has had some success in Hollywood with his script for Being John Malkovich, but now he’s suffering from severe writer’s block as he tries to adapt a book called “The Orchid Thief.” Donald is a freeloader living at Charlie’s house before taking a screenwriting course that inspires him to write a script for a cliched and hackneyed thriller that ends up a success, which only deepens Charlie’s frustration and confusion.
Cage has earned a reputation for not being all that discerning when it comes to the quality of material he’s working on, but sparks fly when he does agree to a project with a great script. Kaufman’s screenplay for Adaptation is highly original, bold, and self-aware, which Cage certainly recognized, along with the opportunity to play twin brothers. This allows him the chance to create two indelible characters that, while they look similar, have two totally different personalities and worldviews. Charlie is neurotic and self-loathing; he’s constantly in his own way. Donald is a carefree, “ignorance is bliss” type; he’s willing to try anything and still maintain a positive outlook. Cage adopts two different versions of their body language and speech patterns to help us tell Charlie and Donald apart. He’s so adept at this that it isn’t long before you can tell which brother is which just by noticing the way Cage is carrying himself and delivering his lines.
While his biggest calling card as an actor is the famous Nic Cage freakout, his work in Adaptation may surprise you if you haven’t seen many of the films where he gets to play a true three-dimensional character (in this case, two of them). Charlie and Donald are not the typical Cage archetype characters, although he still slips in a few recognizable Cage performance tics. It’s a wildly impressive achievement and very possibly his best work among a bewildering and fascinating career.
Streaming on HBO Max
From the DYLA Archive
Links
Thor: Ragnarok is one of Marvel’s most fun offerings, so we’re excited to see what zany adventures Thor: Love and Thunder, in theaters July 8, has in store for us. Check out the new trailer here.
The Ringer dropped their top 50 rom-coms list this week. While they overlook some classics, take a look and see if they have your favorites.
The patron saints of this here newsletter are working together again! After last year’s superb The Last Duel, it was announced that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are co-writing and co-starring again, this time in an upcoming drama about Nike’s pursuit of Michael Jordan in the 1980s. Affleck is set to direct.