The film ‘Pig’ (NEON Rated-R) starring Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is receiving rave reviews from film critics and media attention all over the internet ‘Oscar buzz ‘ chatter. Now that’s high praise!
I saw the film at the famous Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY. ‘Pig’ just made its opening debut today July 16. It’s the first time seeing a film in an actual movie theater since the pandemic hit in 2020. I usually stream at home but this film was only accessible in theaters. It’s one of the best smaller movie theaters around locally. Unlike larger theater chains, it’s a very comfortable home-like vibe setting and a perfect place to screen Pig.
Pig starts out as a slow-burn sad story about a man searching for his beloved pet pig. Then it becomes disturbing when his sweet piggy was stolen by a group of thugs. It was not your usual entertaining film, it was more serious and dramatic instead of humorous. The entire film was shot in Portland, Oregon, and focused on the culinary restaurant scene there. The movie marks Michael Sarnoski’s directorial debut.
Nicolas Cage is Robin Feld, a recluse residing in the wilderness of the woods of Portland, Oregon who was once a famous celebrity chef but chose to live his solitary life alone. His only companion is his pet truffle pig who he sincerely loves dearly and would do anything to protect her. This is NOT your typical pig story or the sequel of Babe.This is a serious thriller drama that only Nicolas Cage can pull off and make his phenomenal return to the silver screen. There’s definitely a very good chance that Cage could receive a nomination and his second Oscar. His first was for Leaving Las Vegas in 1996.
Memorable lines from ‘Pig:’
Rob: I remember every meal I ever cooked…every person I ever served…
Rob: We don’t get a lot of things to really care about…
Alex Wolff co-stars as Amir— a truffle buyer whose occasional visits with Rob are the chef’s only civilization towards regular society to the outside world. Amir is a rich repulsive stuck-up snob who thinks he’s got it made and understands the entire Portland restaurant vibe when he really doesn’t have a clue like his father who owns a restaurant business. Rob is a compassionate human being at peace with his secluded surroundings and is a soft-spoken gentleman compared to loudmouth heartless Amir who later becomes influenced by Rob’s character and turns into Rob, enlisting Amir to help him search for his prized truffle pig. Then tragedy is revealed and it’s heartbreaking to watch as Rob breaks down in tears when he discovers the truth about who stole his pig. You feel like you want to cry and become sympathetic to his loss and give Rob a hug. I won’t give away the plot, you have to view it yourself.
Pig received a 97% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. This could very well be Cage’s comeback film of 2021. His acting is superb and he can relate to his character Rob and channel him quite well. He has said in some recent interviews he was taught how to cook for the film and lost a pet of his— so he understands what Rob was going through when he lost his beloved Pig.
The star pig whose name is ‘Brandy’ (a fine female piggy) was found on a farm and the director thought she was adorable for the movie. She clearly had no acting experience or training for films. Cage told Variety that he would put food and a carrot in her mouth and she would look at him with love in her eyes. A ‘piggy’ affair?
Here’s the trailer on YouTube:
Also, check out my preview of Pig here.