By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Accept
Nerds and BeyondNerds and Beyond
  • Television
    • ABC
      • 9-1-1
      • ABBOTT ELEMENTARY
      • THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
      • THE ROOKIE
      • THE ROOKIE: FEDS
    • AMC+
      • ANNE RICE’S MAYFAIR WITCHES
    • APPLE TV+
      • TED LASSO
    • CBS
      • FBI: INTERNATIONAL
      • GHOSTS
    • DISNEY+
      • PERCY JACKSON
      • STAR WARS SERIES
    • FOX
      • 9-1-1: LONE STAR
    • HULU
    • NBC
      • NIGHT COURT
    • NETFLIX
      • BRIDGERTON
      • MANIFEST
    • MAX
    • PEACOCK
      • YELLOWSTONE
    • PARAMOUNT+
      • STAR TREK SERIES
    • PRIME VIDEO
      • THE BOYS
      • THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY
    • SHOWTIME
    • SHUDDER
    • SYFY
    • THE CW
      • ALL AMERICAN
      • ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING
      • GOTHAM KNIGHTS
      • NANCY DREW
      • RIVERDALE
      • SUPERMAN & LOIS
      • THE FLASH
      • THE WINCHESTERS
      • WALKER
      • WALKER: INDEPENDENCE
  • Movies
    • MARVEL MOVIES
    • NETFLIX MOVIES
    • PARAMOUNT+ MOVIES
    • PIXAR
    • SONY
    • SONY MARVEL
    • STAR WARS MOVIES
  • Books
    • STAR WARS BOOKS
  • Recaps
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
Search
Reading: ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ Review: Cage & Pascal Pair Heart With Absurdity in a Love Letter to Film
Share
Sign In
Aa
Nerds and BeyondNerds and Beyond
Aa
Search
  • Television
    • ABC
    • AMC+
    • APPLE TV+
    • CBS
    • DISNEY+
    • FOX
    • HULU
    • NBC
    • NETFLIX
    • MAX
    • PEACOCK
    • PARAMOUNT+
    • PRIME VIDEO
    • SHOWTIME
    • SHUDDER
    • SYFY
    • THE CW
  • Movies
    • MARVEL MOVIES
    • NETFLIX MOVIES
    • PARAMOUNT+ MOVIES
    • PIXAR
    • SONY
    • SONY MARVEL
    • STAR WARS MOVIES
  • Books
    • STAR WARS BOOKS
  • Recaps
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Nerds and Beyond. All Rights Reserved.
Nerds and Beyond > MOVIES > ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ Review: Cage & Pascal Pair Heart With Absurdity in a Love Letter to Film
MOVIESREVIEWS

‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ Review: Cage & Pascal Pair Heart With Absurdity in a Love Letter to Film

Kaity
Last updated: 2022/04/14 at 10:33 AM
Kaity
Share
6 Min Read
Karen Ballard/Lionsgate
SHARE

In a world that’s become bogged down with big blockbusters filled with CGI and larger-than-life characters, I’ve come to crave good, grounded stories. Sometimes, I also just like to have a good time at the movies, not needing everything to have a profound moment or underlying social commentary. It’s hard to find one film to fit one of those criteria, and it’s almost impossible to find one that fits both. But not all things are inconceivable, and some films can hold up to carry that unbearable weight.

Now, I love Marvel movies as much, if not more, than the next (my bylines will prove that), but I miss having riotous, uninhibited fun at films that aren’t Marvel. And that hasn’t happened as often as I would like, but Massive Talent lives up to the hype and its name because, at its core, it’s a showcase of some truly massive talent in Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal. Talent which includes perfect comedic timing, I might add.

While this film functions primarily as a comedy, with Cage and Pascal making the most enigmatic pair, the underlying theme of pure film appreciation doesn’t go unnoticed. This is a movie for people who love movies; there’s no simpler way to state it. First and foremost in this recipe for success are two actors who clearly love their profession and what their work means to audiences. The fact that Nicolas Cage agreed to this role at all was a testament to his dedication to making something that audiences will love, and like every other role he’s ever done, he gives 110% of himself over to this meta, neurotic version of himself.

Secondly, the heart written into this story and the emotion that each of its two main players bring to their roles makes for something that could have gone too far into the perfect blend. It’s hard to strike a balance between comedy and quality character arcs, but this hits the mark in each of those areas. Watching Nick and Javi reclaim themselves from the holds of two very different foes through their friendship, but in the most absurd of ways, was so utterly satisfying that I couldn’t stop smiling.

Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

It doesn’t need to be said but Nicolas Cage is, and always will be, a legend. And while this film is essentially a parody play of himself, it does his career and talent as an actor justice. As someone who has genuinely enjoyed Cage’s work and the general way in which he navigates his stardom, I was a bit nervous heading into this, particularly after seeing some of his own anxieties about portraying this fictionalized version of himself. However, between Javi’s (and Pascal’s) unhindered admiration of the actor and his work, and Nick’s love of film that translates from Cage’s own adoration of the art, it still felt like a pure appreciation for all Cage has done for film and audiences throughout his career.

If audiences hadn’t already been completely enamored with Pedro Pascal before this film, I don’t see how they couldn’t be now. There are very few actors that command the screen as well as Pascal as he radiates charisma, charm, and vulnerability in a way that is distinct to him and him alone, and he brings this remarkable skill to Javi. One attribute that sets Pascal above the rest is how unquestioningly clear it is that he loves what he’s doing and he appreciates wholeheartedly that he has the opportunity to do it. And he does it well. Pascal hasn’t had the chance to stretch his comedic wings in many roles prior to this, and Javi granted him the chance to show off another skill in his impressive repertoire that he hasn’t yet been granted the space to unveil.

- Advertisement -
Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

This may not seem like a necessary theater experience, but I’m here to tell you that it is. Experiencing this film with a crowd as everyone laughs and guffaws at the antics together is the perfect balm to the past two years that have really kept us apart. Hearing my row mates laughing hysterically wheezing “what the f#%&” under their breath wasn’t something I’d want to have missed. So, if you’re able, don’t skip seeing it on the silver screen, hopefully with a fun crowd.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent opens in theaters April 22.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

You Might Also Like

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review: A Banquet For the Eyes That Will Leave You Mesmerized [Spoiler-Free]

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Review: A Poignant Yet Satisfying End of an Era

Jack Quaid to Star in ‘Companion’ From ‘Barbarian’ Team

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ to Premiere on MGM+ Tomorrow

‘Barbie’ Trailer: Margot Robbie Visits the Real World and Has an Existential Crisis

TAGGED: kb reviews, the unbearable weight of massive talent
Kaity April 14, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Reddit Copy Link Print
Share
By Kaity
Follow:
Kaity started with Harry Potter in second grade and it’s been a losing battle ever since, or maybe a winning one ... She lives in New England with a small herd of cats, two dogs, three chinchillas, and one daughter. Her main fandoms are Marvel, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings, with special emphasis on a reluctant Space Dad and vibranium shield-wielding Super Soldier. Contact: kaity@nerdsandbeyond.com
Previous Article
‘Turtles All The Way Down’: Judy Reyes Joins Cast
Next Article
‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Adds Four New Cast Members
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Stay Connected

2.6k Followers Like
35.3k Followers Follow
2.2k Followers Follow
3.8k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

Check Out Webtoon’s ‘Bloodhounds’ Comic Ahead of Netflix Adaptation
COMIC BOOK NETFLIX TELEVISION June 5, 2023
Interview: ‘Cruel Summer’ Stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, and Griffin Gluck Talk Season 2’s Mystery at ATX Television Festival
FREEFORM INTERVIEWS TELEVISION June 5, 2023
Interview: ‘Hailey’s On It!’ Creators Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton Talk Balancing Sci-Fi and Reality, What to Expect From the Series, and More
DISNEY CHANNEL INTERVIEWS TELEVISION June 5, 2023
Five Big Reasons Why ‘Gotham Knights’ Needs a Season 2
GOTHAM KNIGHTS TELEVISION THE CW June 5, 2023
Nerds and BeyondNerds and Beyond
Follow US

© 2022 Nerds and Beyond. All Rights Reserved.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?