Pig (2021)

Written and Directed by Michael Sarnoski

Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin.

Rob (Cage) is a recluse who lives in the forests outside Portland Oregon. He lives a peaceful life, cooking what he grows – and with his trusted pig – forages truffles to sell to young Amir (Wolff) who sells them to high end restaurants. When he is violently robbed one night, his pig is stolen, and he ask Amir to help him locate him.

As their journey progresses, Amir learns who Rob is, or rather once was – Rob’s connections to his cold distant restaurateur father Darius (Arkin), and also his father’s role in the whereabouts of the pig.

I did not know what to expect going into this, and if you haven’t done so – I would advise not reading up on it too much. I will try to keep my review as ‘spoiler’ free as I can, but I cannot really write on it without giving away the narrative arc that Rob and Amir take together.

I thought this was going to be a shoot them up Cage outing, where he goes to any lengths to get his pig back, but instead we get the Nicolas Cage who won his Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas. Here, he is a gentle soul, who longs for his isolation, and having lost so much of himself prior to it, only has love in his heart for his pig.

It is mostly a dialogue heavy film – with the friendship between Rob and Amir being something new to them both. Amir’s realisation that Rob is who he is (and other characters realising it throughout the film too) is something to be admired.

There are some very emotional moments within the film, and they are complemented well by the subtle direction from first time director Sarnoski (who co wrote with Vanessa Block).

Very good film and a recommend from me.

4/5