Canal Winchester Messenger - May 1st, 2022

PAGE 4 - MESSENGER - May 1, 2022
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“e Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is a gem
Once upon a time, Nicolas Cage was known as a great
actor who chose great projects. OK, that sentence might be
a bit of a stretch, but you have to admit he has always had
an undeniable presence that makes him magnetic to watch
on the silver screen.
For the last decade, the majority of films he has starred in
have gone straight to video, seen only by the masses in meme
form on the internet. His latest venture, however, is quite
possibly the best thing he has done in years with the best performance
he has given in years. While his eccentricities are
still on display within this project, it manages to work in harmony
with his acting quirks and not against them.
In “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” Cage
stars as Nic Cage, a fictionalized version of himself who is
also an actor whose career has been on a downward spiral.
Though he tries so hard to impress potential directors — he
gives a debasing and cringe-worthy audition at the beginning
of the film — no one is willing to give him a chance. To
make matters worse, his relationship with his teenage
daughter Addy (Lily Mo Sheen) is strained because of his
tendency to make everything about himself and he is
struggling financially, swimming in massive debt. “I
thought the hotel liked having me stay there?” Nic says to
his agent when he learns they sent him a bill of $600,000.
With his financial woes increasing and zero job opportunities
on the horizon, Nic agrees to appear at the birthday
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entertainment
party of billionaire Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal) in
Mallorca, Spain for $1 million. While initially dreading the
prospect of putting on “Movie Star” airs for a crowd, Nic
finds Javi to be a downright enjoyable companion and the
two quickly bond over the current state of cinema.
Feeling as if he knows Javi’s heart — “I am an actor
whose job it is to see inside of people,” he says — Nic is
shocked to learn that CIA agents believe he is an international
arms dealer who is the prime suspect in the abduction
of a local politician’s child. Because the agents are not
able to access the heavily fortified property, they enlist Nic
to engage in some light spycraft to take him down.
Naturally, things take a turn.
The premise of this film — a movie starring Nicolas Cage
playing a fictionalized version of himself — is absurd enough
to begin with, but things really go beyond when the agents
rope his character into doing their job for them. In one
scene, Nic accidentally self-administers a sleeping agent
and has to worm crawl his way to the antidote. In another,
Javi takes Nic to a secret tribute room where he appears to
threaten his life with the two gold titanium nitride-plated
guns used in “Face/Off.” In almost every other scenario, this
movie would likely be a complete and incoherent mess but it
magically works on almost every level.
While the direction from Tom Gormican (who co-wrote
the screenplay with Kevin Etten) helps provide an assist
CW’s Music in the Park
The city of Canal Winchester invites families with
children of all ages and adults alike to see and explore
the many fascinating public works and public safety
vehicles on display at the upcoming “Touch-A-Truck”
event on May 20 from 6-9 p.m. Touch-A-Truck kicks off
the city’s 2022 Music in the Park free summer event
series at Stradley Park, 36 S. High St. From S.W.A.T.
trucks to police cars, fire trucks, and more, get a closeup
experience with vehicles from Fairfield County
Sheriff’s Office, Madison Township Fire Department,
Madison Township Police, Franklin County Engineer’s
Office, and the city of Canal Winchester.
The event also features live music by The Usual
Suspects & Repeat Offenders. Additional hands-on
activities and games will be available throughout the
park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair
and picnic, or carry-out from one of our downtown
restaurants. Alcohol is not permitted within the park.
The fun continues all summer long! Come back on
June 17 for Touch-A-Tractor and live music from local
favorites the Hot Rod Lincolns. Then on July 15, the
Gas Pump Jockeys return for a record 15th season for
the annual Cruise-In Car Show, hosted by C-Town
Cruisers.
Music in the Park is a free summer concert series
held the third Friday of May, June, and July, weather
permitting. Visit www.canalwinchesterohio.gov for
information.
Concert in the Park
with a sense of stabilization
from the absurdities
therein, it is the chemistry
of Cage and Pascal and
their commitment to the bit that makes
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive
Talent” such a surprising gem. There
are many twists and turns in this film —
it’s an action thriller buddy comedy
with elements of self-referential teasing
and moments of personal vulnerability
— and they deftly guide their characters
around these difficult maneuvers
with the audience (mostly) in tow and
enjoying the ride.
Because of some of the more outlandish
themes within this film, it
The Reel Deal
Dedra
Cordle
may not be to everyone’s liking; in fact, I’m pretty sure two
people in my screening got up and left before the second
act. But I am a fan of good (and strange) performances and
good (and strange) movies and “The Unbearable Weight of
Massive Talent” delivers on both of those fronts.
area events
Grade: B
Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist.
The city of Groveport’s Concert in the Park summer
music series will be held the last Saturday of the
month in June, July, and August in Heritage Park, 551
Wirt Road. Bring a picnic dinner, a blanket or lawn
chair, and invite your friends and family to this free
concert series. Food Trucks will be available to purchase
food and non-alcoholic beverages from 5:30-8
p.m. Bands play from 6-8 p.m. Scheduled bands are:
June 25 - Mama Drama; July 30 - Rob Adam; and Aug.
27 - Willie Nelson Mandela. For information call 614-
836-3333.
First ursday
The city of Groveport’s First Thursday summer festival
series will be held the first Thursday of the month
in June, July, and August from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in
Cruiser Park, 4677 Bixby Road. The event features
food trucks, more than 40 vendors, a petting zoo, kids’
craft tent and bounce house, a dog show in August, and
live music. The music schedule is: June 2 - Lee Gantt;
July 7 - Jack Middleton; and Aug. 4 - The Morning
Lumber Co. There will be giveaways to the first 200
attendees each date. Giveaways are: June 2 -
Groveport tote bag; July 7 - hand sanitizer; and Aug. 4
- travel bowl. For information call 614-836-3333.
Celebration of Cultures
Groveport Madison Schools will host the following
event designed to embrace race relations, equity,
diversity, and cultural awareness themes:
•May 12 – Celebration of Cultures Night:
Experience world cultures represented in Groveport
Madison Schools. In partnership with the Code RRED
Committee, the district’s English Language Learners
staff will host a Celebration of Cultures Night on May
12, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Groveport Madison High
School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road.
Food trucks representing various cultures will be
available beginning at 5:30 p.m. Presentations from
English Language Learner students will begin at 6
p.m., and free crafts and games will take place
throughout the evening.