Pig

I had heard good things going in, and I was still thoroughly impressed. This is definitely my favorite movie I've seen this year, and quite possibly in the past few. While he is at some of his best in the movie, very little of that has to do with Nicolas Cage.

There is way more substance than the trailer gives you clues to. Outside of the rich narrative, the film is a masterclass in "less is more" to illustrate complex subjects through well executed inference. Michael Sarnoski's writing and directorial debut demonstrates some of the best storytelling skills I've seen in a long time. This will be a piece I point to for a while on effective filmmaking.

[spoiler]Underneath the novel premise of the movie is deep subject matter and one of the more mature explorations of grief and purpose in life. I wouldn't call this a feel good movie, but rather one that lays out a difficult but healthy and necessary path to dealing with tragedy and loss. I called Manchester by the Sea on of the best movies on grief ever made, because it showed how broken it can make people. Pig is an answer to it that shows the health of acceptance and recognizing the value in what we chose to spend our time doing.[/spoiler]

Rated this 10. I think it’s actually a masterpiece and Nick Cage’s best.

way to showcase Portland's cuisine ? ratatouille feeling.

WOW ... !! Great Job Nick, pleasantly surprised

Loved It! Nicholas Cage's best work in forever.

Marketing really dropped the ball on this one by letting everyone assume it was "Nicolas Cage as John Wick but with a pig." It's a smart, forlorn, reflective character piece about a broken man who deeply cares for something authentic in an empty world. I'd say this is Nicolas Cage's best performance since Adaptation, but honestly, this understated and quiet film blows everything he's done out of the water.

Do NOT go into this one expecting an action flick. This is a slow indie film with a relentless focus on its main character. The most unclassifiable movie I've seen in a long while, and one that stays with you long after the credits roll.

This movie is really something special. Having had this sold to me as "John Wick but with Nic Cage and a Pig", I went in expecting dumb action and loud set pieces. What I actually got was Chef made by A24, and I absolutely loved it. Pig is a sombre look at the effects of grief and loss on those left behind. It's bleak, but so masterfully told and way above the expectations I'd set for myself going in. So much is told with so little dialogue, it's truly impressive stuff. Nic Cage really turns out here also; the man is the epitome of range and he absolutely nails this performance. Wow, great great stuff and much to muse on, do not skip this.

“We don’t get a lot of things to really care about.”

This movie, on paper, shouldn’t really work at all. It would come off as just be another up it’s own ass indie film, but all the elements come together perfectly.

Astonishingly good. Quiet and incisive exploration of grief and loss and relationships. Don’t doubt and watch it!