Nicholas Cage is Brilliant in "PIG" - Must See!

 

I love a good story. Don't you? I mean, stories can be entertaining, sure. But sometimes you come across a tale that hits you right in that meaty area where your emotions tend to hang out and suddenly you realize that stories can be more than just entertainment fodder. I just finished watching a film that is arguably one of the most interesting and unexpected favorites of the year for me. That movie was Michael Sarnoski's Pig. 

Pig tells the story of Rob, a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness. He's a recluse, quiet and simple. His companion is a foraging pig, a husky little number that Rob deeply cares for. Rob is hiding something; there's a past there, one that will inevitably be explored, but an obvious mystery during the beginning stages of the film. Eventually, we follow Rob as he is forced to return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is surprisingly kidnapped. 

What attracted me to this film, initially, was Nicholas Cage, who plays Rob, our central character. Cage is a national treasure, a talent so unique--an unequivocal master at his craft. I've seen many, probably most, of his performances, and they vary in range, scope, and craziness. When considering the premise of this movie, which I'll admit I thought sounded like John Wick but with a pig instead of a dog, I half expected a bewildering, crazed Cage not unlike what we've seen before. I am happy to announce that that's not what we get. Cage delivers what is arguably his best performance to date, and what a quirky movie to showcase it in.

I say quirky, and it is, but ultimately Pig is far more emotional than it needs to be. That's a good thing, though. Sarnoski, who co-wrote and directed the film, weaves a tale that really explores the power of companionship and the hardship that loss can have on a human level. There were moments throughout this piece where I was generally moved. One instance in particular, and it's not a spoiler, involves Rob and his journeying companion Amir (played by the great Alex Wolff) in a fancy restaurant. Rob is in search for his missing pig and he seeks the chef of this restaurant for information. Within their exchange is this beautiful yet haunting discussion about purpose and the difference between what you feel you should do in life versus what you want to do. Passion and love are equally as important as practicality and common sense when dealing with large life decisions. I did not expect such profound storytelling in such a small narrative.

At the end of the day, Pig is an extraordinary tale that will move you. It's got a lot of heart mingled with emotional weight and a profound performance. The cast across the board is really good, but Cage steals this one in the most wonderful way. The subtle nuances to his performance are a brilliant showcase for the power of visual storytelling. I really enjoyed this one.

Theaters are opening up and people are returning to the cinema, which makes this movie-lover's heart soar. If you get a chance to check out Pig, I highly recommend you do. It's one that I'm sure will get glossed over with the larger films coming out around it, but if you're a lover of film, you won't be disappointed with this one.