The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent * * * *

The major character in this film is the actor Nick Cage -  and he is played by Nick Cage, so the question might be asked: does Nick Cage have to act in this film, or just be himself?

Actually, he has to act - and he does it very well.  The story is about an out of work actor who finds himself caught up in a frightening situation.  But rather than an actor playing an actor, they decided to go with a real actor playing his real self.  Or at least, a parody of himself.   The advantage is, by being himself Nick Cage can cheekily refer to many of his past films - and there are a lot of them!

Nick Cage and Javi share the moment

In this comedy thriller actor Nick Cage is having trouble getting the roles he wants. He feels his glory days are behind him.  He is drinking too much.  His wife has had it with him.  His sixteen year old daughter is embarrassed by him.  

The best gig his agent can get Nick is a paid appearance at the birthday party of a wealthy fan in Spain who has had a lifelong obsession with him.  What Nick doesn't know is that the fan is a Spanish mobster currently involved in the kidnapping of a politicians daughter.  But the CIA know, and Nick soon finds himself reluctantly working for them.

The gangster himself, Javi, turns out to be a really nice guy and the two men soon find themselves warmly relating to each other like never before.  But Nick has been warned this man is dangerous even as their bromance blooms.

There are twists aplenty as the story unfolds and Nick has to rescue the kidnapped girl, get out of the luxurious Majorca complex and stay on the right side of  the dangerous Javi, who he can't help but like. As the story progresses Nick learns other things about Javi and his situation.

It's a lot of fun.  You might enjoy it more if you watch all off Nick Cage's film's beforehand, but that would probably take you a year, so just go see it anyway.