Who knew that the truffle industry was such a thing in the Pacific Northwest?
Well I do now, because I've seen "Pig," a movie about a man who goes on a strange odyssey to reclaim his kidnapped truffle pig. Nicolas Cage is that man, because a movie with such a strange premise must star Nicolas Cage.
Of course the pig isn't really just a pig, and the kidnapping only serves as a catalyst for a plot that explores grief and remorse. Yippee. Yet another somber movie about grief and remorse. Welcome to the COVID movie world everybody.
"Pig" would be a better movie if it wasn't so stingy with its secrets. Details and plot points do eventually click into place, but not until the film has made its audience wait and wait and wait for the revelations we feel like we know are coming. And even then the backstory feels a bit murky, and I wasn't sure I completely connected all the dots. I suppose this could be an argument for the film's re-watch value, but it would have to be a much better movie to make me want to watch it again.
Despite its flaws, though, it's a decent enough movie to sit through once. Cage has been lauded for his performance, but I enjoyed the performance of Alex Wolff more. He plays a slick buyer of Cage's truffles and joins him on his quest. His character's arc is so big and Wolff plays it so well that the movie feels like it's as much about him as it is Cage.
Grade: B+
Well I do now, because I've seen "Pig," a movie about a man who goes on a strange odyssey to reclaim his kidnapped truffle pig. Nicolas Cage is that man, because a movie with such a strange premise must star Nicolas Cage.
Of course the pig isn't really just a pig, and the kidnapping only serves as a catalyst for a plot that explores grief and remorse. Yippee. Yet another somber movie about grief and remorse. Welcome to the COVID movie world everybody.
"Pig" would be a better movie if it wasn't so stingy with its secrets. Details and plot points do eventually click into place, but not until the film has made its audience wait and wait and wait for the revelations we feel like we know are coming. And even then the backstory feels a bit murky, and I wasn't sure I completely connected all the dots. I suppose this could be an argument for the film's re-watch value, but it would have to be a much better movie to make me want to watch it again.
Despite its flaws, though, it's a decent enough movie to sit through once. Cage has been lauded for his performance, but I enjoyed the performance of Alex Wolff more. He plays a slick buyer of Cage's truffles and joins him on his quest. His character's arc is so big and Wolff plays it so well that the movie feels like it's as much about him as it is Cage.
Grade: B+