Nominated for all the critics' awards, winner in Chicago, Seattle, Georgia, and the Independent Spirit Awards and ignored by the Oscars, Pig was on all the best movies of 2021 lists, highlighting its screenplay and the magnificent performance of its protagonist, Nicolas Cage. 

Oscar winner for Leaving Las Vegas and a popular face in Internet memes, he has shown in recent years a great self-awareness and zero fear of ridicule in films like The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent or Renfield, versatility in proposals like Dream Scenario and great talent in films like this touching story, which earned him the Best Actor Award at the Critics Choice Awards. 

What it's about

Pig is an American drama film written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (in his feature film debut), in which Cage plays Rob Feld, a solitary truffle hunter who in the past was a renowned chef in Portland.

Now, he lives in a cabin deep in the forests of Oregon, where he hunts truffles with the help of his prized pig, to sell exclusively to Amir, a young and inexperienced luxury ingredient supplier for high-end restaurants.

One night, Rob is attacked by unidentified assailants who steal his pig. From there, he will embark on a journey to try to recover his beloved animal and only friend. 

Among the best of the decade

The film was on every best releases of 2021 list and also on those published as the best of the decade so far. On Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of the 268 critics' reviews are positive, with an average score of 8.2/10. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100.

Richard Whittaker said in his review for The Austin Chronicle, "At a time when so many people struggle to find some value in their lives, when people flee from jobs, cities, and futures they once thought they wanted, Cage has crafted a quiet soliloquy on how to hold on to something meaningful."

Thelma Adams, from AARP Movies for Grownups, wrote, "Playing against expectations, there's no Cage's fury, no ostentatious violence, nor operatic monologs, just a simple and touching story of a broken man who lost his pig but maybe has found his way."

Johnny Oleksinski, from The New York Post, described the film as an "Undeniably strange drama, but surprisingly moving," while Mike D'Angelo noted that "There are no plot twists in the traditional sense, but each successive encounter reveals a new facet that enriches the story." 

Lastly, Kristy Puchko, in her review for Pajiba, wrote: "Pig is not just a hypnotic and meditative drama about love and loss. It is also a powerful reminder that Cage is one of the most talented and captivating movie stars of our time."

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence