Not that he went anywhere, but Nick Cage is back. As himself. When an actor has reached the peak of his career in character-driven film there comes a time where there are no characters left to play, except for yourself. There is nothing serious about this movie to the point it will have you laughing at how ridiculous it really is.
Nick Cage is in debt, his divorce forcing him into a hotel. His 16-year-old daughter has grown up overnight and doesn’t want to be babied anymore. The worst part, Nick is struggling to secure the role that will put him back on top. Landing that role would stop him from having to do an appearance despite it being worth an easy $1 Million. He accepts the appearance.
Being flown to Mallorca, Cage meets super fan Javi Gutierrez. Gutierrez also happens to be an international arms dealer and crime boss. Neither of those two things have anything to do with the fact that the real reason Gutierrez wanted Cage to attend his party was to read his screenplay.
As it turns out the CIA has been watching Gutierrez for some time and when the opportunity arises, Cage is recruited to help solve a high profile kidnapping. With an earpiece and a voice to guide him, Cage attends to the dirty work for the CIA. To do this he must win the trust of Gutierrez. This results in a drug-fuelled afternoon and entering the shrine dedicated to Cage and his career.
Trusting his ability to read people, Cage soon realises things aren’t what they seem and ends up having to save his daughter and ex-wife from some people who want him and the knowledge he holds, dead.
There is nothing in this film that isn’t up for a laugh. From the hilarious to and fro Cage has with a younger LA 90s version of himself. And if you look past the questionable CGI, you’ll find yourself glued to this interaction.
Cage himself doesn’t even take himself seriously in the film. He plays up to the fact he is playing himself and throws in some of his classic looks and stares. He has some priceless throwaway lines about his thoughts on some of his films that is comedic timing to perfection. Despite the fact it’s absolutely ridiculous, he reminds you he’s really quite a good actor with some exceptional work across the decades.
Alongside Cage is Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984, The Mandalorian). Pascal is showcasing his ability to move from drama to action to comedy in his role as Javi Gutierrez. He really plays into the entire gangster, scriptwriter, and actor role. At times demanding the screen more than Cage himself.
It’s been done before, with an actor playing himself. It’s also been done before where a movie is being made inside a movie. It has most certainly been done before when a daughter is kidnapped. There is nothing new or original or clever to this film. What it is, is a wonderful showcase of Nickolas Cage’s massive talent and a good laugh along the way.
