Cast:
Nicolas Cage (Nick Cage / Nicky Cage), Pedro Pascal (Javi Gutierrez), Sharon Horgan (Olivia Henson), Tiffany Haddish (Vivian, a CIA agent), Ike Barinholtz (Martin, a CIA agent), Alessandra Mastronardi (Gabriela), Jacob Scipio (Carlos), Neil Patrick Harris (Richard Fink), Lily Sheen (Addy Cage), and Paco León (Lucas Gutierrez) Directed by Tom Gormican.
Review:
Would you be surprised to know that Nicolas Cage did not sign up to do this movie on the first time he was asked? It makes sense if you hear a premise like the one the script (written by Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten) has, which only seemed to mildly offend him. It was a letter written by Gormican that swayed Cage, however, one that showed an interest in Cage's earlier work that also happens to feature a younger CG creation of himself that confronts him from time to time (the Wild at Heart version, specifically) without being tied to his actual family life. Of course, as Cage as stated about himself, "I never had a career, I only have work." Cage has worked for forty years in television and film, as you already might know, one that has seen a distinct variety of movies (good and bad), so you don't need me to say that his "mega-acting" is quite an appeal to folks interested in the art of stars for actors. Cage also decided to serve as a co-producer on the film, which meant that he served as a sort of mediator between studio and director in the filmmaking process. Gormican had one previous directing credit to his name in That Awkward Moment (2014) and one other credit with the television series Ghosted (2017-18) as creator/producer.
Look, do you want to see a movie that features a sequin pillow of Nicolas Cage or not? It isn't quite the first film featuring a funhouse mirror portrayal of an actor played by themselves, as evidenced by Being John Malkovich (1999), but these two films are fairly distinct enough anyway. Sure, there are quite a few references to Cage present in this film, but it really is a fun time to see play out without just being a "Greatest Hits" album. Call it what you will, meta, surreal, odd, but I cannot lie that I had a really interesting time with this movie, even as someone who is only mildly familiar with all of the things that make its starring actor so compelling. Of course, it isn't just a love letter to one particular star, because it is an action comedy, it just happens to be one that has a good deal of heart and knowing sense of engagement in weirdness that is lifted by its main stars for a rewarding good time. It doesn't exactly sell every action beat, but it does at least sell the rest well enough anyway. Cage is playing a heightened version of himself, but it is a version that folks can appreciate because it is Cage playing Cage, and it is captivating to see how he goes through a mirror-house version of himself that has self awareness without sniveling desperation; the double of himself is a bit odd to see opposite him (of course, this isn't his first rodeo when it comes to doubles, as evidenced by Adaptation twenty years prior), but it does at least serve some sort of purpose in the end. Interestingly enough, Pascal follows along with resounding success, one with plenty of energy and chemistry to share with Cage in a portrayal of a devoted fan/action man #2 that makes for a handful of humorous moments together. Horgan serves as the calm medium for a few diverting scenes with Cage, while Haddish and Barinholtz take up a few moments as the other part of the film: setting up the action plot that (meta or not) is tacked on from a few too many action plot-points, which goes okay. The other actors do just fine in small gasps, although my amusement worked out best for the climax when it comes to one last little joke. The run-time of 107 minutes generally works out to its advantage in delivering a fairly creative role for Cage to chew on that does not underplay or overstay its welcome, which is generally what one should expect. As a whole, whether one is a Cage connoisseur or not, you will likely get exactly what you think you expect from a movie like this, one that is pretty good in the right places to make a decent day at the movies.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
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