Pig movie review - Aussieboyreviews
CAN PIG MANAGE TO BE BOTH A BLOODY AND REVENGE-LESS THRILLER?
Yep, Pig is a moderately violent anti-revenge thriller starring Nicholas Cage without any need for vengeance. Nevertheless, it’s still a powerful, intriguing and excellently-shot movie; not for everyone.
Storyline
When his beloved pig is kidnapped, a truffle hunter who lives alone in the wilderness returns to his past in Portland to find the person who kidnapped her.
Movie Images
Movie details
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, Cassandra Violet, Julia Bray
Writer: Michael Sarnoski
Release Date (Australia): 8 August 2021
Runtime: 92 minutes/1h 32m
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Country: USA
Language: English
CONTENT GUIDE (warning: May contain spoilers)
Themes in the film include a truffle hunter searching for the person who kidnapped his pig, as well as thematic content including gambling, family disputes, references to death and suicide.
The film includes bloody depictions of a man being beaten up. He is frequently viewed with bloody bruising throughout the film.
The film includes use of the words “f**k”, “s**t” and “**shole”.
A very mild verbal reference is made to “junkies”.
None.
Crude verbal references are made to a man “f**king his pig”.
mpaa rating
R (for language and some violence)
Aussie boy's thoughts
This is such an unusual and abnormal role for Cage to take on, but it’s also a role in which he gives one of the best performances of his career… and even of the year. Especially considering that this is the first feature from writer/director Michael Sarnoski, Pig may also very easily be one of the best films of the year. It’s a phenomenally-crafted story of grief, pain and despair.
As said before, Nicolas Cage is outstanding in every second of this movie as he plays a truffle hunter who lives alone in the wilderness, and with only around 10 minutes to introduce us to his character, the setting and his beloved pig, the film dives into its concept very quickly as the animal is stolen and he sets out, returning to Portland to find the person who kidnapped her.
Pig isn’t another John Wick-wannabe thriller with sustained action sequences featuring our lead viciously shooting up a bunch of bad guys who step in his way, although John Wick is an excellent assassin action movie. Hardcore vengeance isn’t in the subject of this movie, as it’s much rather a cinematic anti-revenge film with a very bleak atmosphere captured brilliantly by Sarnoski.
It’s really just a story of love, loss and grief as a man attempts to find his pig. We learn a lot about Nicolas Cage’s very worn-out character as the film plays out, there’s a very clever and unique show-don’t-tell element of storytelling, and overall, the majority of the film is well-paced and convincing, although not a film for everyone.
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