Comparisons to 'John Wick (2014)' are both apt and, perhaps, misleading; in many ways, 'Pig (2021)' is the antithesis of the revenge thriller. It isn't about vengeance, it's about love, loss, grief and gourmet cooking. In fact, the protagonist comes face to face with the people who whack him in the head and steal his pig in the movie's opening movement surprisingly early on, showing no desire to hurt them and instead being wholly focused on recovering his lost pet. It's generally a quiet, contemplative and purposefully counter-intuitive affair that subverts almost every expectation that comes with its set-up and the fact that it stars Nic Cage. Cage is remarkably restrained here, delivering a heavy yet nuanced performance that's actually rather affecting. Some of his conversations hit surprisingly hard, even if some of them are rather difficult to hear (the dialogue is oddly quiet and muffled at times). On top of its more straightforward narrative, the film has plenty to say about commerce vs creativity, compromised dreams, self-imposed isolation, gentrification, monopolisation, regret, companionship and the necessity of being able to 'move on'. It's purposefully unsatisfying, which is actually oddly satisfying if you think about it. It's relatively realistic yet still retains its own sense of low-key style. It's also really sad overall. It isn't consistently gripping, but it's always interesting and generally entertaining, too. It's an accomplished piece of work. 7/10.
843 Reviews
Phenomenal...Just Phenomenal!!
Rena2420 July 2021
This movie brought back life to Cinema! And it's absolutely stunning, touching, real and Authentic. In a world of plastic CGI and ultra unrealistic movies which you can absolutely not relate to, this one is a breath of fresh air that will touch the inner most part of you heart. I felt it as tears rolled on my cheek's (I miss you dad). Kudos to the entire production team and welcome back Cage ; we have waited for this from you for a long time. Thank you so much.
Cage pigs out in Portland...
whitetowel-7478620 July 2021
While i'm certainly not on the 'Pig is a masterpiece' bandwagon, this is still an oddly engaging low key indie-flick with decent cinematography, sharp editing and an aptly atmospheric score, further boosted by the brilliance of Cage and a solid supporting cast, including the wonderful truffle pig itself!
However, it's a slow moving ditty that never really takes off and i was somewhat disappointed with the undercooked finale. It also has to be noted that our disheveled hero goes through the entire movie filthy dirty, bloodsoaked and battered in many public places without nary a raised eyebrow, which stretches all boundaries of credibility... and i'm not talking about the pig here!
Regardless of its faults, this sombre thought=provoking tale of love, loss and loneliness is worth a watch if you want to check out something fresh and quirky, and it's certainly good to see the enigmatic Nic Cage putting in a such solid turn again in between his many recent howlers (take note Neeson, Madsen and Willis). Bon appetite. Oink oink.
However, it's a slow moving ditty that never really takes off and i was somewhat disappointed with the undercooked finale. It also has to be noted that our disheveled hero goes through the entire movie filthy dirty, bloodsoaked and battered in many public places without nary a raised eyebrow, which stretches all boundaries of credibility... and i'm not talking about the pig here!
Regardless of its faults, this sombre thought=provoking tale of love, loss and loneliness is worth a watch if you want to check out something fresh and quirky, and it's certainly good to see the enigmatic Nic Cage putting in a such solid turn again in between his many recent howlers (take note Neeson, Madsen and Willis). Bon appetite. Oink oink.
Unconventional love story, a man and his pig.
TxMike30 November 2021
I'm not sure what I expected but what I got surprised me. I like Nic Cage but I don't always like the choices he makes. This role is a good one. He is a wilderness man in Oregon, the state with the best hunting for truffles. He lives in a very rustic cabin, gets supplied delivered weekly, in exchange he provides top quality truffles. We see him early making a rustic mushroom tart, we get a sense of what his former career might have been.
The incident happens very early in the movie, at the 11 minute mark, when in the dead of night men break in, knock him unconscious, and steal his prize pig. The rest of the movie is his efforts to find his pig and get it back. More because of his attachment to the pig, not so much for his truffle hunting.
The overall theme is dealing with loss and grief, and not only one person or one loss. It is not a superficial story that one can pay scant attention to. Cage is really good in the role, as a former top chef who dropped out of the mainstream.
On DVD from my public library. My wife skipped.
The incident happens very early in the movie, at the 11 minute mark, when in the dead of night men break in, knock him unconscious, and steal his prize pig. The rest of the movie is his efforts to find his pig and get it back. More because of his attachment to the pig, not so much for his truffle hunting.
The overall theme is dealing with loss and grief, and not only one person or one loss. It is not a superficial story that one can pay scant attention to. Cage is really good in the role, as a former top chef who dropped out of the mainstream.
On DVD from my public library. My wife skipped.
It's Pig
sanavan95817 July 2021
I'd like to speak to the chef.
slak96u4 April 2023
Pig follows a truffle hunter named Rob who lives alone in the wilderness of Oregon with his beloved foraging pig. One day, his pig is stolen, and he sets out on a mission to find her, revealing a hidden past and putting him in touch with his estranged former life in the process.
This movie is not your typical Hollywood production. Instead, it's a slow-burning character study that explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. Nicolas Cage delivers a subdued, nuanced performance, showing a depth and range that remind us of his acting abilities beyond his typically over-the-top roles. He portrays Rob as a man who has suffered a great deal, but who has not lost his humanity, compassion, or love for his pig.
The cinematography is stunning, capturing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and the soundtrack is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the film's melancholic and introspective mood. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, particularly Alex Wolff as Amir, a young and ambitious chef who becomes entangled in Rob's quest.
"Pig" is a quiet and contemplative film that rewards patient viewers with a moving and profound experience. It's not a film for everyone, but for those willing to engage with its themes and characters, it's a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work of art.
This movie is not your typical Hollywood production. Instead, it's a slow-burning character study that explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. Nicolas Cage delivers a subdued, nuanced performance, showing a depth and range that remind us of his acting abilities beyond his typically over-the-top roles. He portrays Rob as a man who has suffered a great deal, but who has not lost his humanity, compassion, or love for his pig.
The cinematography is stunning, capturing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and the soundtrack is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the film's melancholic and introspective mood. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, particularly Alex Wolff as Amir, a young and ambitious chef who becomes entangled in Rob's quest.
"Pig" is a quiet and contemplative film that rewards patient viewers with a moving and profound experience. It's not a film for everyone, but for those willing to engage with its themes and characters, it's a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work of art.
"We don't get a lot of things to really care about."
arkhamj18 July 2021
What a beautiful movie. Not everyone is going to love it, I've seen some of the reviews here, and frankly, they didn't understand what the film was going for. Seldom has there been such a raw portrayal of love and caring for the things that really matter, and decluttering life of all the unnecessary BS. A film that doesn't treat it's audience like idiots, letting you paint your own picture while still wholly understanding the message. Reserved and much more than skin deep, Nicolas Cage delivers a painfully Oscar-worthy performance. Go and see this movie!
Could've gone down the obvious route but didn't
ronakkotian15 September 2021
There's always something to look forward to in a Nicolas Cage film. Even though nowadays Cage does abysmal films, there's one or two great ones that come with it and Pig is one of them.
Pig follows Rob, a truffle hunter who lives in the woods with his beloved pig. One day, his pig gets kidnapped and he returns to Portland to search for it.
This film could've easily gone down the simple revenge route these stories tend to have but Pig decided to take a slower and deeper approach. In his directorial debut, Michael Sarnoski displays a lot of promise as a director and storyteller. He takes this simple premise and creates a lot of emotion in it. For his first film, it looks really good. The camerawork is fantastic and I liked a lot of the darkness and dim lighting that captured the devastated mood Rob was in the entire time. Despite its 90 minute runtime, the film does move at a slow pace and the lack of action may be bothersome to some people. I did start to feel the pacing at certain points and I definitely could've been more invested in what was going on but I wasn't.
It was refreshing to see characters handle a situation like in a calm yet emotionally effective way rather than going down the typical action route and a lot of the emotion works due to the solid acting. Nicolas Cage is the best he's been in years. Beautifully understated and a man of very few words, Cage is able to channel the distressed nature of Rob in such a believable manner. As much as I would've loved to see Cage go ballistic, it was a nice change of pace to see him in a role he doesn't normally do. I was also surprised to see Alex Wolff in a film like this but he did a good job as well and played along nicely with Cage. Another great performer was Adam Arkin who had some great scenes with Cage and Wolff.
Pig ended up being an experience I didn't expect. I didn't feel as emotionally invested as the film wanted me to but I admire Sarnoski's unique approach to this story and Nicolas Cage for providing one of the best performances of his career.
Pig follows Rob, a truffle hunter who lives in the woods with his beloved pig. One day, his pig gets kidnapped and he returns to Portland to search for it.
This film could've easily gone down the simple revenge route these stories tend to have but Pig decided to take a slower and deeper approach. In his directorial debut, Michael Sarnoski displays a lot of promise as a director and storyteller. He takes this simple premise and creates a lot of emotion in it. For his first film, it looks really good. The camerawork is fantastic and I liked a lot of the darkness and dim lighting that captured the devastated mood Rob was in the entire time. Despite its 90 minute runtime, the film does move at a slow pace and the lack of action may be bothersome to some people. I did start to feel the pacing at certain points and I definitely could've been more invested in what was going on but I wasn't.
It was refreshing to see characters handle a situation like in a calm yet emotionally effective way rather than going down the typical action route and a lot of the emotion works due to the solid acting. Nicolas Cage is the best he's been in years. Beautifully understated and a man of very few words, Cage is able to channel the distressed nature of Rob in such a believable manner. As much as I would've loved to see Cage go ballistic, it was a nice change of pace to see him in a role he doesn't normally do. I was also surprised to see Alex Wolff in a film like this but he did a good job as well and played along nicely with Cage. Another great performer was Adam Arkin who had some great scenes with Cage and Wolff.
Pig ended up being an experience I didn't expect. I didn't feel as emotionally invested as the film wanted me to but I admire Sarnoski's unique approach to this story and Nicolas Cage for providing one of the best performances of his career.
Lip stick on a pig
tommytomato-155228 February 2022
This film is slow boring and basically completely pointless, acting was OK but the story what terrible, man has a pig stollen then tries to get it back!
What's the idea of the underground place where waiters pay to hit people 🤣.
This film has such a high score it makes me laugh. Worst film I've seen in years.
What's the idea of the underground place where waiters pay to hit people 🤣.
This film has such a high score it makes me laugh. Worst film I've seen in years.
What a wonderful film.
durham1009 August 2021
This is a film about loss and grief on many levels. In fact each of the main characters are hurting big time in one way or another and they are all drawn together because of a (totally gorgeous) pig. Whilst only being on screen for such a short time the pig causes events in peoples lives that are monumental. This is such a clever story, beautifully filmed, edited, scored, directed and acted by everyone.
One of the best films and performances of the year.
JohnDeSando21 July 2021
"Pig" is a title so unimpressive that you may ignore what is arguably one of the best films of the year. Additionally, Nicolas Cage does his finest work since Leaving Las Vegas, for which he won the Oscar playing a troubled drunkard. Forget his hack work of late-this is his real deal.
In Pig, he plays a troubled former top chef (companion piece at this time to the doc Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain?), Rob, who has forsaken his domain, Portland, Oregon, and gone into the wilderness with his truffle-hunting, brindle-colored pig, Brandy. When she is kidnapped, he must leave his hideout to find her in the city.
In a slowly-distributed exposition, we learn about his culinary influence on Portland and his sorrow at losing his wife. Cage plays him taciturn and gruff, a literate Grizzly Adams, if you will. When he does briefly open up, or unload, on a current chef he knew back in the day, talented writer/director Michael Sarnoski and writer Vanessa Block have him express his belief that people should follow their dream, grasping onto something that has meaning and losing all that distracts from that goal. Well-written apologia, and well-acted.
Of course, pursuing his dream of isolation is what he has done until his love of Brandy drives him into the world and his past. Cage plays Rob right, just slow and introverted enough for us to savor the greatness he was and the misanthrope he has become. A talented and philosophical recluse he is.
As we eventually see him re-create a gourmet meal from his capacious memory (he forgets neither meals nor those he has served), we verify his greatness and understand his dislike for mankind. The narrative is lean and reasons not always evident, but the truth about what he says of the world is never lost.
In the isolation all of us have experienced over the last year and a half, it is enlightening to experience someone else's, which is never totally understood but nonetheless profound and relatable. Don't let anyone tell you nothing happens in Pig, for as in Nomadland, everything is happening. It is about all of us, our successes and failures with our losses of love hurting most of all. In theaters.
In Pig, he plays a troubled former top chef (companion piece at this time to the doc Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain?), Rob, who has forsaken his domain, Portland, Oregon, and gone into the wilderness with his truffle-hunting, brindle-colored pig, Brandy. When she is kidnapped, he must leave his hideout to find her in the city.
In a slowly-distributed exposition, we learn about his culinary influence on Portland and his sorrow at losing his wife. Cage plays him taciturn and gruff, a literate Grizzly Adams, if you will. When he does briefly open up, or unload, on a current chef he knew back in the day, talented writer/director Michael Sarnoski and writer Vanessa Block have him express his belief that people should follow their dream, grasping onto something that has meaning and losing all that distracts from that goal. Well-written apologia, and well-acted.
Of course, pursuing his dream of isolation is what he has done until his love of Brandy drives him into the world and his past. Cage plays Rob right, just slow and introverted enough for us to savor the greatness he was and the misanthrope he has become. A talented and philosophical recluse he is.
As we eventually see him re-create a gourmet meal from his capacious memory (he forgets neither meals nor those he has served), we verify his greatness and understand his dislike for mankind. The narrative is lean and reasons not always evident, but the truth about what he says of the world is never lost.
In the isolation all of us have experienced over the last year and a half, it is enlightening to experience someone else's, which is never totally understood but nonetheless profound and relatable. Don't let anyone tell you nothing happens in Pig, for as in Nomadland, everything is happening. It is about all of us, our successes and failures with our losses of love hurting most of all. In theaters.
Strange Odyssey
evanston_dad17 December 2021
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+
This was really good
calicut1108 August 2021
It was really powerful and mesmerizing. It could be a little slow at times but there are some good twists and turns. As the story unfolds you go very deep into Nicholas Cage's character who does a really amazing job. Anyone that likes a slow burner suspense drama will like this.
Tough, raw, and gritty film of loss, pain, and sorrow.
blanbrn14 November 2021
"Pig" is without a doubt a film that's clearly different and away from some normal film norms, still even as the story is that of a lost pig the movie connects with themes of drama and emotions. Set in the rural Oregon wilderness Rob(in a good well done performance from Cage) is a lonely truffle hunter who lives life rough raising his own food and living like a hermit rarely getting out and even so and then he gets drama from his old rattle trap truck. However his beloved pet pig keeps him going, then the world is turned upside down when Rob's pig is kidnapped. This then takes the film on a past journey of things, and people that Rob remembers as he does a search and travel in the big city of Portland looking for his pig. The film is raw and gruff with Nicolas looking his rugged best with long hair and a beard, however Rob's character is that of a fighter as he searches bars, restaurants, and homes of people from the past just to find his pig. Still even though this story involves a lost animal the drama, pain, emotion, and sorrow matches that of any human story. Overall "Pig" is one eye opening touching painful film that shows how when connection and attachment is lost it brings sorrow.
Fighting to be serious...
turnmaxw9 February 2024
Like a good Nic Cage film, this film takes a silly, dare I say stupid, premise (yes about a pig), and treats it with far more respect and seriousness than it is owed. Throughout the film, I found myself unable to not look at someone else I was watching the film with and say "PIIIIIGGGGG!" If my timing was good I would be met with an equally enthusiastic "PIIIIGGGGG!" back. Nic Cage does what he does best, and plays into the film, making it seem like it is something real, serious, and threatening when at its core it is a movie about a truffle hunter, his pig, and uncovering secrets you would never actualize on first glace.
BUT....
Here's the thing, it kind of works. I wanted to give this film a bad review (or at least a mediocre one) after I finished watching it. I walked away confused at what I saw: love for a pig, Nic Cage's refusal to clean himself, truffle cartels?, but the truth is I did enjoy the film. Good films make you set aside reality all the time, sure this one takes place in contemporary Portland, there is nothing magical or fantastic about it, but if you simply let yourself believe in the story it is trying to tell, believe in the world, it tells a compelling tale of love, family, and death, asks deep questions about what it means to be alive, and examines how our past affects our future. The cinematography is great, the music is good (although I think they were trying to be more clever with it than I picked up on), and the acting was, for lack of a better word, Nic Cage. It is not a masterpiece, but it is good and to the right person great.
There is still part of me that wants to give it at least a 6, but also a part of me that thinks if I assess my experience watching it, and not the time spent trying to rationalize it, it deserves an 8 or 9. I think a 7 will do it just fine.
BUT....
Here's the thing, it kind of works. I wanted to give this film a bad review (or at least a mediocre one) after I finished watching it. I walked away confused at what I saw: love for a pig, Nic Cage's refusal to clean himself, truffle cartels?, but the truth is I did enjoy the film. Good films make you set aside reality all the time, sure this one takes place in contemporary Portland, there is nothing magical or fantastic about it, but if you simply let yourself believe in the story it is trying to tell, believe in the world, it tells a compelling tale of love, family, and death, asks deep questions about what it means to be alive, and examines how our past affects our future. The cinematography is great, the music is good (although I think they were trying to be more clever with it than I picked up on), and the acting was, for lack of a better word, Nic Cage. It is not a masterpiece, but it is good and to the right person great.
There is still part of me that wants to give it at least a 6, but also a part of me that thinks if I assess my experience watching it, and not the time spent trying to rationalize it, it deserves an 8 or 9. I think a 7 will do it just fine.
Welcom back nicolas cage
marentos18 July 2021
"We don't get a lot of things to really care about"
JaKrispy849 April 2024
This won't be everyone's favorite movie. I went into it thinking it's a revenge/rescue mission movie like John Wick or Nobody. It's not. It's a lot deeper than that and the more you learn about Nicholas Cage's character the more you realize this is a character study, one where put yourself in his shoes and reflect on all the obstacles life throws. The biggest theme is grief and loss, in various forms, and choosing to move forward in the face of it.
It is not a happy or action-packed movie. But it's a short film and makes you feel things. I'm primarily feeling sad and probably won't watch it again but not regretting it either.
It is not a happy or action-packed movie. But it's a short film and makes you feel things. I'm primarily feeling sad and probably won't watch it again but not regretting it either.
Battle of the IMDb Reviewers, eh?
laurelhardy-1226813 March 2022
I told my wife about the hugely polarized reviews for this flick. Curiosity got the best of us.
Reluctantly, I put it in and we both watched it.
On behalf of the PROs: It was put together well. Cage does a pretty good job. It does have a degree of, shall I say, poignancy. Understanding Cage's character and more importantly, what drives him is perhaps the main thrust of the film. A part of his character is revealed by how the others players who know (or have known) him, perceive him, which (in earnest), is one of awe and respect to one degree or another. Also, that perception is contradictory to his appearance. Cage's character has no interest in self presentation, (it's more than a disheveled look, particularly after getting beat up), and this too, is a part of who he is, or has become.
On behalf of the CONs: It does move slowly. There's no new parable(s) here, no real allegorical message, etc. And even if his appearance is a part of who he is, somebody hit the guy with a firehouse. It's gets old fast. When they get around to putting olfactory effects in the new TV's, this movie won't be played much.
There's no real climax other than Cage finding out about his Truffle Pig's final disposition.
Here's our conclusion. Those reviews between 4-7 are most accurate. . The movie DOES play like an odyssey to a degree. That's a good thing. Without that attribute, the reviews should be 1-3.
Neither my wife or I would ever consider watching it twice. And that's indicative, to some degree, that we wasted our time. Do we regret spending time watching it? My wife says it's a toss up while I lean toward ("give me back my 2 hours.")
So, it has its positives, and its negatives. I felt it was a 5 star movie as did Evelyn. It was put together with sensitivity, but a drag just the same.
As usual, it's a matter of taste.
You be the judge.
Thx.
Bob R.
Reluctantly, I put it in and we both watched it.
On behalf of the PROs: It was put together well. Cage does a pretty good job. It does have a degree of, shall I say, poignancy. Understanding Cage's character and more importantly, what drives him is perhaps the main thrust of the film. A part of his character is revealed by how the others players who know (or have known) him, perceive him, which (in earnest), is one of awe and respect to one degree or another. Also, that perception is contradictory to his appearance. Cage's character has no interest in self presentation, (it's more than a disheveled look, particularly after getting beat up), and this too, is a part of who he is, or has become.
On behalf of the CONs: It does move slowly. There's no new parable(s) here, no real allegorical message, etc. And even if his appearance is a part of who he is, somebody hit the guy with a firehouse. It's gets old fast. When they get around to putting olfactory effects in the new TV's, this movie won't be played much.
There's no real climax other than Cage finding out about his Truffle Pig's final disposition.
Here's our conclusion. Those reviews between 4-7 are most accurate. . The movie DOES play like an odyssey to a degree. That's a good thing. Without that attribute, the reviews should be 1-3.
Neither my wife or I would ever consider watching it twice. And that's indicative, to some degree, that we wasted our time. Do we regret spending time watching it? My wife says it's a toss up while I lean toward ("give me back my 2 hours.")
So, it has its positives, and its negatives. I felt it was a 5 star movie as did Evelyn. It was put together with sensitivity, but a drag just the same.
As usual, it's a matter of taste.
You be the judge.
Thx.
Bob R.
An astonishing and assured debut with a stunner of a Cage turn
Quinoa198416 July 2021
An astonishing and assured debut; Pig may get you into the theater with the veneer of a darker/darker hued John Wick (by way of, hmm, how's about Leave No Trace, that works for me), but it's much more than that suggests. This is a rather devastating and deeply emotional film about loss, of self and others and the toll that takes, and how it shows ultimately much more courage to reach into someone else's soul, especially if it's a person who wronged you, than to go about the usual revenge narrative. I won't say how this happens, but it's a film that earns its tragic countenance and the look of the film itself (as I told my wife on the way home, the color choice almost looks like a truffle).
On that level the filmmaker is also rigorous into exploring forgiveness and how painful opening those wounds can be. I don't want to give too much of the experience away, it's a true character piece in a vein we so rarely get with this actor - I'll go ahead and say it, this is on the level with a Leaving Las Vegas or Joe - but what turned this from very good to one of the year's best was the scene where Rob talks to the chef at the restaurant. What a character. And Cage only brings big displays of this person's grief and anger a handful of times; he's now at that stage where he can come into a room and say little and command attention. And the supporting work from Wolff and Arkin et al is also excellent and matches him.
In sum: That'll do, Nicolas. That'll do.
On that level the filmmaker is also rigorous into exploring forgiveness and how painful opening those wounds can be. I don't want to give too much of the experience away, it's a true character piece in a vein we so rarely get with this actor - I'll go ahead and say it, this is on the level with a Leaving Las Vegas or Joe - but what turned this from very good to one of the year's best was the scene where Rob talks to the chef at the restaurant. What a character. And Cage only brings big displays of this person's grief and anger a handful of times; he's now at that stage where he can come into a room and say little and command attention. And the supporting work from Wolff and Arkin et al is also excellent and matches him.
In sum: That'll do, Nicolas. That'll do.
Nicolas has released the pig out of the Cage!
mathiaswestman10 August 2021
Solid performance by Cage - finally! Is it time for him to get back into the spotlight and up on the big screens again?
Different story, thru the whole movie!
I was "afraid" it was going to be some John Wick revenge type of feeling - but no! I was surprised.
But it felt more like a Drama, than a Drama/thriller(?)
Oink oink, this piggy found a little gem...
Different story, thru the whole movie!
I was "afraid" it was going to be some John Wick revenge type of feeling - but no! I was surprised.
But it felt more like a Drama, than a Drama/thriller(?)
Oink oink, this piggy found a little gem...
oh we are so quirky! eyeroll
dystopiandreamgirl23 January 2022
What a vanity project. What an oh so precious script, what cliched music choices. What a pretentious mess. What a sappy concept - the cinematic equivalent of cotton candy. And hey dumbass scriptwriter, a tsunami is not a wave.
Good mystery and suspense
Gordon-1118 July 2021
Nicholas Cage has been in many bad films on recent years, but I must say he's successfully turned it around with the recent few films. Pig is actually really good, with mystery and suspense throughout the film. Things are mostly explained, but some critical plot elements are left to the imagination and observation. I find it a pleasurable and engaging watch.
Nothing I've ever seen before!
lechihoanglonghiie4 October 2021
It's a gut-wrenching portrayal of loss, grief and longing. The movie has took a simple concept of a man looking for a pig into something that was mesmerizing in both visual and story. I was also fascinated of the contrast between the natural wilderness and the cityscape. And Nicolas Cage has not only gives us the most authentic performance, but I feel like he also gives his heart for the acting. This might be one of the best films of the year.
Nicolas Cage's raw performance does little to save the undercooked 'Pig'
Sir_AmirSyarif1 August 2021
Nicolas Cage's raw performance does little to save Michael Sarnoski's undercooked 'Pig.' The movie is a character study that explores grief and loss, but the way it is told made it feel too long and too slow. The cinematography is excellent. The acting is good. The movie itself could have developed better. Seeing Cage gives a very soulful performance is easily the best part about the movie.
Cages best friend
kosmasp19 October 2021
Can Pigs be Pets? Or are they more a "workforce" of sorts? On the other hand, one may argue here it is more the role of a friend that the pig inhabits. Which makes the relationship between Cage and his quite furry four legged friend interesting to say the least.
If you've read a sort of summary of what this is going to be ... I imagine there are things that are not covered. Things that may feel weird while you watch it. You may expect certain things to happen in this movie ... but the movie will not satisfy those needs or even wants. It will follow its own route/road and its own pace ... which is quite slow. A movie called something with Joe that Cage starred in, is one that reminds me mood and pace wise of this. Still way different overall - so I'm not comparing the movies. But Cages performance is as subtle and low maintance as it can be ... something that we may not be used to, especially lately. Curious to see how the Prisoners of Ghostland will compare to this ...
If you've read a sort of summary of what this is going to be ... I imagine there are things that are not covered. Things that may feel weird while you watch it. You may expect certain things to happen in this movie ... but the movie will not satisfy those needs or even wants. It will follow its own route/road and its own pace ... which is quite slow. A movie called something with Joe that Cage starred in, is one that reminds me mood and pace wise of this. Still way different overall - so I'm not comparing the movies. But Cages performance is as subtle and low maintance as it can be ... something that we may not be used to, especially lately. Curious to see how the Prisoners of Ghostland will compare to this ...
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