Direction: Tom Gormican
Country: USA
In this flamboyant farce, in which Nicolas Cage plays Nicolas Cage in a crisis of confidence, spreads out quick-fire situations laced with some fair moments of humor. Lively, slightly trippy, and with notes of self-mockery, the film references the actor’s real career in a few scenes, and even shows him kissing a younger and successful version of himself - an imaginary Cage likely from the ‘80s. This idea came out spontaneously from the actor while filming.
Indeed, his self-centric character feeds from the glory of the past, but is totally aware of the state of his declining career. In debt, he decides to accept a paid gig proposed by a longtime fan, the Mexican billionaire Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal). All he has to do is to take a flight to Spain and join him at his birthday party. They get along pretty quickly and even make plans for a future character-driven drama film about their relationship, but everything is compromised when Cage is recruited by the CIA to spy on his new friend.
Tom Gormican’s sophomore feature reveals audacity in its conception and releases a certain energy, but sins by letting things down gradually. The last portion of the film results in a jarring collision of cheesy friendship and action-packed scenes mounted with panache, which only curbs the more attractive offbeat impulses offered at an early stage. However, it’s great to see an enthusiastic Cage returning to the right track with three decent films - Sion Sono’s Prisoners of Ghostland, Michael Sarnoski’s Pig, and this one - delivered over the course of one year. After having refused this ‘self’ role a few times, he just made his massive talent heavier and more conspicuous by accepting it.
