Sympathy for the Devil

I watched this for, well, Nicolas Cage. The bonus was Joel Kinnaman. The story was much better than I thought. Predictable, yes. But both actors carried it through. And it was a perfect role for Cage.

There is nothing new here, it will remind you of several other similar movies. But it works. The first half, while we still don't know what it is about and where it is going, is perfectly handled to let you wonder about any possibility, even crazy ones. Incredibly gripping.

Sadly, once the direction is known, it is a pretty common place, not a bad one, but overused; in other stories that handled it better.

Nic Cage is great here. Like he hasn't been in a while. Oh sure, it's still more or less of the same thing, but it doesn't go too far in the craziness. Here it feels like acting, it feels like the character, and not like Nic Cage playing crazy Nic Cage like he's been doing for a while.

The movie is a bit too much all on him though, the interactions work good, but the driver does not have enough material. Being lost and playing stupid can only bring you so far, useless except for being the opener to Cage's reactions. Even as a viewer, you're convinced quite early that, at least, [spoiler]the driver is not who he says he is[/spoiler], but he still goes on for 20 more minutes denying it.

The ending sucks. Too simple, too cliché, and does not even fit the characters.

After the story is revealed, the [spoiler]killing everybody around like crazy[/spoiler] doesn't seem to fit the character's motive. He's here for specific [spoiler]revenge, was not a killer but an accountant, he doesn't seem the kind to go on a killing spree. Maybe if he needed to get rid of witnesses, but not even, he knows he's already dead, probably why he started that[/spoiler].

The only real part for the driver was telling that [spoiler]killing the family was a mistake and that he's regretted it ever since[/spoiler], and it feels pretty icky, specially after [spoiler]killing the two cops just so he could finish him[/spoiler].

Also, there's a police car right there, they probably have [spoiler]all of his last actions, including the cop killing part, on camera[/spoiler].

Don't know how it was done, but it certainly feels like the ending has been rushed (time or money issues ?), but the rest is very entertaining.

Quite good. Nicholas Cage awesome

Just another potentially decent script placed in the hands of B rate directors and actors with the possible exception of Joel Kinnaman. Nicholas Cage, enough said. So over the top as expected. However the script if properly executed and cast better could have been a great movie. So much potential if Hollywood would stop chasing profit over quality, and get out of its own way.

Not a bad movie.. didn't expect it, just disliked the end

OMG THE CAGE RAGE. Fucking love this piece. Another great performance by Cage and Kinnaman.

It was Nic Cage doing his thing again and I was hear for it. It dragged in some spots but it was fun watching Cage go nuts again.

What causes everyone downright rejection is this? I'm glad (quietly!) Cage's attempts to restart his career. From a movie about a pig, already 4 times personally, I’m not ashamed of him. And so, a budget noir with an 80s vibe. Nicholas here looks like both the Fellow Traveler and Trachtenberg, with a crazy touch of Castor Troy. It’s a pity the end was merged for the sake of a spectacular twist, but🆙.

nic cooking in the good way.

In truth, not that good. But some nifty direction and a wack-a-doodle performance from Cage elevates this B-movie thriller.