Film Review: Pig
Words by Bree Pollard
A strange, beautiful film with an outstanding performance by Nicolas Cage
Directed by Michael Sarnoski
Starring Nicolas Cage
Released 16 September
92 mins
Michael Sarnoski’s directorial debut, Pig, follows truffle forager Robin Feld (Nicolas Cage) searching for his beloved truffle-finding pig after she is kidnapped.
I went into the film knowing little more than that and was fully prepared for John Wick: Where’s my Pig? (which is quite a concept in itself). Instead, I came out sobbing and completely invested in this strange, beautiful film.
Nicolas Cage — probably one of the most idiosyncratic actors of this generation — is outstanding. Behind all the hair, blood and bruises, he is almost unrecognisable in his Cage-ness and delivers a convincing performance as the brooding Robin.
Alex Wolff, who I’ve been a big fan of since his days on The Naked Brothers Band (2007–2009), also gives an outstanding performance as Amir, Robin’s partner-in-crime. Cage and Wolff play off each other wonderfully throughout the film. Together, they are the beating heart of this sobering narrative.
Pig is an anti-revenge movie. Sarnoski plays into the conventions of the revenge film genre just to subvert them; there is no vengeance, no resolution, and no catharsis. The only violence is inflicted against Robin himself. The journey sees the dejected stoic remain the dejected stoic, while exploring themes of love, friendship, and, of course, food.
The use of food as a narrative device in Pig is surprising and phenomenal. Robin’s search takes us through the brutal supply chain of high-end cuisine, from the too often heavily mistreated labourers who dig the ingredients out of the ground, to the entrepreneurs who profit from the exploitation of workers and animals.
Food is equally at the emotional core of Pig. The very real power of food to connect us with people and place are explored in its most poignant scenes. Through this, Sarnoski asks us to reconsider what we really care about in this life.
I can’t promise you any great new Nicolas Cage memes — but I can certainly promise a touching and utterly captivating storytelling experience.
