A forgotten matinee idol emerges from the wilderness to go on an unusual and memorable swine rescue mission.
Nic Cage is back… And I mean, really back!
On the face of it – and on his character’s own swollen, bloody face – PIG (VOD) might seem like another entry in a decade-long catalogue of bargain bin revenge thrillers.
The concept sounds like a Liam Neeson film or a John Wick knock-off: Cage is a solitary woods-dwelling truffle hunter who returns to civilization to seek justice when his pet foraging pig – and only friend – is kidnapped by junkies.
But first-time cowriter-director Michael Sarnoski ingeniously subverts the genre, taking us down an infinitely more rewarding path that’s both delicate and brutal. Think more First Cow than Taken.
Cage is equal to the challenge, playing an extreme but bruised character with empathy and economy, while also having fun with some knockout lines. There’s plenty of life left in this old swine yet.
With beautiful composition and pacing, and in just 92 minutes, the film delivers a story of grief and regret with originality and panache. Likely too artsy for some, Pig is nonetheless a sensational feature debut for Sarnoski that will be particularly joyful for those nostalgic for Cage’s A-list days.
Having found his own way out of the wilderness, hopefully our old matinee pal will continue to dazzle us like he used to… Although from the look of his current slate, I wouldn’t necessarily bet on it.
Verdict – 9/10
(97% Rotten Tomatoes)
For the perfect pairing, match Pig with the lovely Italian documentary THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS (2020 | VOD | 97% RT).
Make it a delightful foodie trio with FIRST COW (2020 | VOD | 96% RT).
Alternatively, for a recent Cage revenge thriller that does go down the blood-thirsty gonzo road, throw in the gloriously bonkers horror-infused MANDY (2018 | VOD | 90% RT). It’s B movie heaven or hell, depending on where you stand!
Note: Pig will get the full (and part-spoilerific) discussion it merits on an upcoming Stream It or Leave It podcast. Did I mention we have a podcast?
What’s your fave Cage – do you prefer Leaving Las Vegas or putting the bunny back in the box?
MS.