Nicolas Cage has had a long and notorious career and is continuing to thrive in every possible way. Cage continues to push the envelope taking on roles that are surprising and starring in incredible films like Mandy, Moonstruck, and Kick-Ass. He’s also taken on roles in films that were an absolute bust like The Wicker Man, Pay the Ghost, and Left Behind.
In Michael Sarnoski’s major directorial debut, Cage takes on a role that challenged him in a film that is a revenge tale, but a very human story.
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Cage stars as Robin “Rob” Feld a once renowned chef and now truffle forager who lives alone in the Oregon wilderness with his beloved truffle-hunting pet pig and sells them to the finest and trendiest restaurants with the help of a broker Amir (Alex Wolff). When Rob’s pig gets kidnapped, he must return to his old past and roots outside Portland as the story is set over the course of three chapters.
Many audiences, like myself, were looking for a John Wick-styled film as the owner desires to get bloody revenge, but Sarnoski takes Pig (2021) to a different level, a more drama humanistic level.
Do not go into this film expecting to see an action-packed feature because it isn’t. However, there is no doubt a sense of John Wick did influence the film. Sarnoski’s film is an authentic and surprising watch and is not as bizarre as it seems. It’s a very original film written by Sarnoski and co-written by Vanessa Block.
Nicolas Cage gives an exceptional performance!
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Cage gives a dialed-down and emotional performance that has a mysterious past and as the story continues his character changes showing incredible character growth as he’s on the hunt to find his pig. He is a gentle and very interesting character of a man with very few words, but on the surface has a lot going on. Cage gives a must-watch performance and one of the best performances ever with a strong chance of being potentially nominated for an Academy Award.
Wolff continues to break grounds as an actor taking on roles in very unique films. He gives a young and mature performance and the dynamic of his character is extremely watchable. Adam Arkin stars in the film as a truffle buyer who brings a sense of darkness and sadness to the story that helps elevate the story. Also, the pig in the film is really cute and furry and shares a remarkable bond with Cage.
Everything in the film is extremely well-executed as the cinematography was done by Patrick Scola as the film’s color palette uses very earthy tones and colors. The film is very well, slowly paced because Cage’s character has been out of the normal, everyday world for so long. When Wolff takes Cage back to the world he left behind, he begins to realize the impact Cage had in the town. The Pig (2021) takes a look at the bond and relationship whether that might be an animal or a human where a lot of it involves love, grief, and loss that leads to a dramatic and incredibly emotional ending.
It’s an easy film to enjoy as audiences will see the unexpected with the film. Sarnoski’s film shows an absolute confident directorial debut of a director to look out for in the future that includes a strong, phenomenal performance from Cage with a memorable film.
I give Pig (2021) film a 9 out of 10 stars.
