My worst day at film school & Nicolas Cage

By far my worst experience in film school happened in a very small way, it wasn't any of the normal issues such as being on the crew from hell or having pages of notes given on your film, from a lecturer who has never made a film. It was way smaller but in some way made a much bigger impression.

It went down like this, in a class on illustrating Ethnic identity within American society through film (another case of academics writing for other academics) we sat to watch Moonstruck (1987) so when its all over the lights come up and the lecturer asks what are the opinions (having already shared theirs for 30min preceding the movie thus ruining any unbiased views) most people just plain hated the move. 

The session then turned to the performance of Nicolas Cage and not only in this film but in everything! it was a free for all with the entire class and lecturer agreeing that he is just awful and how is he even acting or getting roles? I knew at this point that (1.) the class knew nothing about cinema or acting  (2.) the lecturer loved to play to the gallows and knew even less about cinema or performance  (3.) that I most definitely picked the wrong film school.

Nicolas Cage is an innovator! a man who redefines performance in some interesting way. A step away from the overindulgent and self-analytical (read self-obsessed) actor to a newer interpretation of performance. He is free in way that many are not, sure he can be way over the top but that's the point while others hide behind the curtain of 'inner' depth and feeling he lets it all out. From the great nuanced Oscar worthy and winning performances to the wacky Bad lieutenant stuff and everything in between. He doesn't hold back or dial it in even in the most ridiculous projects and roles he is always reaching a level of authenticity that demands to be admired.

The great movie critic Ebert came out in swinging in his praise for Cage sating that "There are often lists of the great living male movie stars: De Niro, Nicholson and Pacino, usually. How often do you see the name of Nicolas Cage? He should always be up there. He's daring and fearless in his choice of roles, and unafraid to crawl out on a limb, saw it off and remain suspended in air" or as Ethan Hawke commented "He's the only actor since Marlon Brando that's actually done anything new with the art of acting" my feeling is that both Ebert and Hawke may know a little more than a bunch of film school post grads.  

Lets finish & celebrate the shamanic Nicolas Cage with a small clip of Cage from the great David Lynch movie Wild at Heart

Stephen @Lost