In the modern days, apart from the high-caliber fictional movies and sci-fi films, drama films and more cinemas with grounding is needed. It gives us the thrill, the matter of questionability and curiosity. Moreover, these films give us a break from the high-budget films with thousands of characters. Indeed, sometimes it is even a mind-bend to understand what’s going on in the film. In such movies, we can appreciate the story for what it is. A traditionally made film can give us the rest from the complex movies that hit the blockbuster nowadays. Moreover, it gives us the opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary story, direction, cinematography and so much more. Pig, is one of those movies. Let us have a look on what it is!
PIG – Written and Directed by Michael Sarnoski Starring Nicolas Cage and Alex Wolff
Pig is mystery/thriller or drama film that went through releasing on July 16, 2021. It was made under the direction of Michael Sarnoski, who also wrote the screenplay. Moreover, it was Sarnoski’s directorial debut, and to say the least it was an amazing one. The film has a very short cast and budget for the typical movie nowadays. However, the story and the amazing directing of Michael have led the movie to be a great success.
The cast includes Nicholas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, Gretchen Corbett. Overall, it has an amazing cast as well. From all the criticizing for Cage’s acting in previous films, this film proves his specialty clearly.
Short Recap and About the Story
The film starts off in the woods as we first have a look at Nicholas Cage as Robin Feld, who is only a mysterious man. He was a truffle forager and lived in a cabin in Oregon forestry. His only companion was his foraging pig, who was very close to him. He sells the truffles he finds to a young businessman named Amir, who was an inexperienced supplier of luxury ingredients to fancy restaurants. We see Feld cook in the woods with mushrooms and other ingredients, eating them with his pig.
One-night, unidentified men make their way into the cabin and beat Feld to plump, but most importantly, steals his pig
Next morning, Feld makes his way to the city and finds out Amir, asking him for help to look for the pigs. They come to find out that the pig was stolen by no one but a couple of drug addicts. But sadly, they had given it away to someone with a lot of money in Portland. Slowly, we come to know that Feld was actually a very popular chef in Portland, and had many connections to the city. Feld and Amir make their way into an underground fighting ring run by Edgar, and at last they gain some more clues.
After finding out who Feld actually was, Amir shares a story and shows his admiration for Feld’s cooking. We find that Amir’s parents had had an unhappy marriage, they were happy when they had dinner at Feld’s restaurant. Then, Amir’s mother dies from suicide. Feld asks Amir to make a reservation at a trendy restaurant with the name Eurydice. Meanwhile, Feld makes a visit to his old house and reminisces about his wife, whose death led him to disappear.
Feld and Amir meet up with Derek, the head chef of the restaurant. However, Derek was a prep cook for Feld. Feld breaks down Derek empathetically with his dream of opening a pub. Derek becomes extremely overwhelmed with emotion and cries out, revealing that Amir’s father Darius was the one behind the theft. Feld angrily breaks off the partnership with Amir and goes to Darius, comforting him. Darius threatens him with the death of the pig but also promises 25000 dollars is he leaves it alone. We also see the hints of hatred from Darius when it comes to his son, Amir.
We then see Amir visit his mother in coma, who hasn’t actually died. He goes to Darius to offer him a ride and they both have a talk. Feld confirms that he needed the pig not because of the truffles, but because he loves it. He then gathers a list of ingredients and gives it to Amir to get. Meanwhile, he visits his old bakery and meets up with his employee. After sneaking back in Darius’ house with the ingredients, Feld and Amir make Darius the same dinner that he had had with his wife years back, including the special wine that Feld got from his own collection. Darius tastes the food and breaks down in tears. Then, an emotional Darius reveals that the handlers had been too aggressive with the pig. As a result, it had died.
Feld then collapses into tears. Amir drives Feld to the forest near his home. Then, after washing off the blood from his face, we see Feld listening to a recording of Laurie, his wife.
Plot Summary
The film follows Rob Feld (played by Nicolas Cage), a reclusive truffle hunter living in the wilderness of Oregon. He shares his solitude with a prized truffle-hunting pig. When his pig is stolen, Rob ventures into the city to find it. Along the way, his journey uncovers his past and sheds light on his complex relationship with the world he abandoned.
This film starts out feeling weird as balls, with an almost cognitive dissonance invoked by the similar vibes to existing properties such as John Wick or Taken. At first I was not sure whether to take this movie seriously or to view it through a lens of tongue in cheek fun-poking at a film industry that all too often resolves to copy catting successful properties rather than bringing something new, interesting, and risky to the table. Jesse Felt
Key Points in the Story
- Rob’s Past
Rob is revealed to have been a renowned chef in Portland before retreating to the forest. His fame and success in the culinary world made him a legend, but personal loss (hinted at through subtle dialogue) led him to leave it all behind. - The Pig’s Importance
At first, it seems the pig is merely a means to find truffles, but it becomes evident that Rob’s connection to the pig runs deeper. The pig represents his emotional anchor, filling a void created by his past losses. - The Journey
Rob’s search for the pig takes him through different parts of Portland’s underbelly, from culinary elites to seedy fight clubs. Each encounter is a confrontation with the world he left behind and the people he influenced or alienated. - Themes of Loss and Connection
The movie isn’t about revenge, as one might initially think, but about grief, healing, and rediscovering human connections. Rob’s unorthodox methods, like cooking a meal to trigger a memory, highlight the emotional power of shared experiences. - The Resolution
Rob learns that his pig has died after being mishandled by those who stole it. Though heartbroken, he doesn’t lash out. Instead, he returns to his cabin, accepting his loss. The film closes with Rob listening to a tape of his late wife, symbolizing his need to come to terms with the grief that defined his isolation.
Themes and Analysis
- Grief and Healing
Rob’s journey reflects how people cope with loss. His love for the pig mirrors the emotional attachment he still feels toward his deceased wife. - The Power of Food and Memory
Food, a central motif in the film, is depicted as a medium for connection and nostalgia. Rob’s cooking serves as a way to touch the hearts of others and remind them of their humanity. - Rejection of Violence
While the setup resembles a revenge thriller (a la John Wick), the film consciously avoids violence. Rob’s actions are driven by compassion and understanding, not vengeance.
General Thoughts and Review
Overall, the movie is very well made and is beautiful. It has the perfect balance of curiosity and drama, with its slight twists. It gives us beautiful views and cinematography as well. The strongest point for the movie would be its acting and its plot, as well as its execution. Indeed, the movie has also been nominated for multiple awards for best actor and best directorial debut. In my opinion, I will give the film a solid 8 out of 10.
Why It Resonates?
The 2021 film Pig, directed by Michael Sarnoski and starring Nicolas Cage, is a deeply emotional and unique story that defies the expectations of a typical revenge thriller
Pig is a meditation on love, loss, and the human condition. Its minimalist storytelling, combined with Cage’s nuanced performance, turns a seemingly simple premise into a profound exploration of what truly matters in life.
“We don’t get a lot of things to really care about.”
This won’t be everyone’s favorite movie. JaKrispy
It is not a happy or action-packed movie. But it’s a short film and makes you feel things. I’m primarily feeling sad and probably won’t watch it again but not regretting it either.
]Probably the best Nicolas Cage movie he’s put out in a while. It’s actually good. It’s not one of those “Hur Dur Nic Cage haha” kinda good ones. The story is great and he does a really good job in this one.
Like the animal itself, Pig defies the hogwash of expectations with a beautiful odyssey of loss and love anchored by Nicolas Cage’s affectingly raw performance.
Final Thoughts
So, that ends this review. Like this, there are also a lot of other movies that you can binge watch over the weekend. If you are a fan of strong stories and shorter films, this is a good movie for you. Thank you for reading so far! Got any feedback? Let us know!
