How Nicolas Cage Learned To Love Paddington 2
AKA Nicolas Cage plays Nick Cage on The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
From the moment I heard about this movie, I ached to watch it. The premise was irresistible:
Nicolas Cage playing an over-the-top version of himself and, tagging along, Pedro Pascal as Javi, his number one fan. Not only that but, due to exceptional circumstances, the pair ends up trying to concoct a film that will honor Mr. Cage’s legacy. As if that wasn’t enough, we also have a couple of CIA agents who claim Javi is a gun dealer and need help from a Hollywood star to get some hard evidence.
Like I said, irresistible.
A Movie Star
Everything that happens in this movie is ridiculous. From Nick Cage’s overacting to his messed up relationship with his daughter, from his money problems to a younger version of Nick Cage called Nicky — a sort of imaginary friend from hell who pops up to enhance the madness.
Do not expect a single drop of common sense in this film. Everybody makes the stupidest choices, which makes the story work. So it’s best to check out all of your seriousness at the door and just enjoy the ride.
As for the characters, Javi does what all fans do, which is to idolize someone they have never met and don’t really know anything about. On the other hand, Nick is a movie star in trouble since he didn’t handle his finances that well and he fears his best days are behind him, creatively speaking. Therefore, he’s looking for that one role that will bring him back into the game…not that he ever went anywhere.
Then Paddington comes along.
However, despite Nick Cage's overwhelming presence, the theme that runs through the story is the love of movies.
Yes, Javi adores Nick, and Nick wants to go back to his glory days, but they also share a deep passion for everything related to cinema. They both are suckers for a well-told story and will stop at nothing to create a movie that comes from the heart.
All of this, of course, takes us to Paddington 2. Oh, yes, this is crucial to the plot.
At a certain point, Nick asks Javi for his three favorite movies. The list includes The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Face/Off, and, to Mr. Cage's disbelief, Paddington 2.
I can see why, for some people, it could be hard to believe that a kid’s movie should be included in anybody’s top 3 list. To be honest, back in 2014 and 2017, when the two Paddington movies came out, I ignored them.
However, once I gave myself the opportunity to watch them, I understood why they are beloved: they are the perfect mix of laughter, charm, and love. Also, this might be an unpopular opinion, but I happen to think the first Paddington movie is slightly superior to the second one. Just saying…
I believe it is not an accident that Paddington 2 is mentioned so prominently in this film.
For the Love Of Film and Life
You see, at their hearts, Paddington 2 and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent deal with a similar topic: love.
In Nick’s case, he loves films, he loves what he does, and, even though he has a stupid way to go about it, he loves his family too. And, when it comes to Javi, he loves a woman he cannot be with.
As if that wasn’t enough, these two men learn to love each other. Just in a matter of days, they managed to connect like they hadn’t been able to do with anyone else in a long time.
So, yes, it might seem this is a story about a movie star in decadence, but, in reality, it’s one of the funniest and more delightful buddy movies you’ll ever see.
Oh, and just in case you haven’t watched Paddington 2…what are you waiting for?