IR Film Review: PIG [Neon]
Nicolas Cage has been known in recent movies to look of the edge of granular characters and find a truth. Very few actors who were bonafide movie stars can make this transition back. He could try to play supporting on bigger name films but this path is more true to himself. Unlike "Prisoners Of The Ghostland" which was a mash up (or perhaps like it), his new film "Pig" is not initially what it seems to be. It can be said that this is one of his more subtle performances (although physically it is not). Cage's character Rob is a truffle hunter who lives off the grid. As the movie continues forward, it reveals key periphery points as it goes which opens up why what happened to Rob did without putting too fine a point on it, Alex Woolf plays his concierge of sorts but also a client and the way the story weaves it reasoning throughout is intricate and a journey of perspective, thoughtful and yet inherently Nic. In watching the first 20 minutes it moves slowly but then its intent grows on the viewer. The eventual scene in a particular restaurant laser focuses the reasoning and intelligence of Cage's character while still showing an understanding. He only raises his voice once in a later scene and it is powerful.
While the reasoning of his need and quest as integrated in the actual title might seem a bit much, it perfectly dovetails into Cage's acting process in terms of selling the importance of the moment. It is not just his direction but even with characters of former employees and adversaries, director Mike Sarnoski really finds a balance without being slick or too overt. The movie obviously pays tribute to Portland, Oregon without giving a true sense of the city (yet the ode to the underground is vivid). But Sarnoski is able to give a texture to Arkin's mercurial intentions without underwhelming or overpowering what Nic as Rob says (for example). Ultimately the journey is the thing wherever it leads. A late night stop in a old haunt shot from one angle is a particular choice but all the more powerful. This is why no matter what in the texture of existence, the last shot with all of its connotations, along with a particular song and a voice singing it says so much as the ending credits roll. And if anything that is inherent Cage. A
By Tim Wassberg
