Over the years Nicholas Cage has had his ups and downs, but there is no doubt he can offer up some memorable performances. I personally love him the most when he is allowed to just cut lose in films like Mom & Dad, Mandy Color out of Space and my most recent favorite Wally’s Wonderland. His latest film PIG looks to continue that trend of great films of late and co-stars Alex Wolff and Adam Arkin with director Michael Sarnoski at the helm. Could this be another great addition to his current slate of films or will it be something you wouldn’t order off a menu?
 

Pig follows a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness that must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped. On the surface this film seems like it is going to be yet another over the top crazy role for Cage to chew up the scenery and on some levels that is true. The reality of it though is something deeper, emotional and more subdued in way we haven’t really seen Cage take on in some time.
 

This is an interesting simple premise that as the story progresses delves into some dark underworlds all in search of a pig. The truth is it is about so much more than the pig and Cage brought his A game here. Some may forget that he is an Oscar winning actor and it’s a role like this that allows him to flex his acting muscles to remind everyone of that. He brings a quiet and stoic performance to this character that showcases the inner struggles and mystery that the man has delivering easily his best performance in years and one I hope gets the recognition it deserves.  
 

The supporting cast are all great as well, but this is all Cage. I love that after the initial taking of the pig occurs he never cleans himself up or stops to prepare and instead just heads out covered in blood to find his beloved pig. The pain and torment this journey takes you on is sadder than I expected, but in a powerful way