Seconded! I was already sold on this performance halfway through, but then the way that “liver scotch eggs with a honey cream mustard” bursts out, turns almost joking in the middle… beautiful.
@@yozlet The way he just says the dish automatically, and then burst out with that nervous laugh. It's like he had spent years trying to kill that dream, and then realized it was still there. His entire performance was him just trying to hold onto the crumbling facade he had erected over himself as Chef Feld simply pulls it apart, piece by piece.
truth, he has always been a great actor, it's just some bad script choices in the past that makes him look like he had an awful filmography, most of the times he delivers on point
@@matthewschwartz6607 I thought Nick was going to raise some Pig Hell for those that took his pig. He gets his Pig back and Portland is left burning to the ground. A happy ending for all! I was NOT happy with this movie!
@@razony sometimes an introspective look into ones humanity, what makes them feel loss, what does it mean to truly love something (anything), can be a rewarding experience. Sorry you weren’t able to connect with it
RLM was right, a stupider movie would have Cage grab the chef and slam his head into the table while screaming "Where's my goddamn pig!?", but the total deconstruction of the meaningless futile business set up out of necessity with no satisfaction to be had while clinging to the dream of what he wanted was far more devastating.
Yeah when RLM started talking about how they loved it I got REALLY scared it was going to be SUPER sad. *SPOILERS AHEAD* I legit thought that they where going with the twist of Robin and the dad's wife where the same woman which meant ROBIN didn't know she was alive but brain dead. I was like OH MAN!
Very true and excellent point. However, Nic Cage grabbing the Chef and slamming his head into the table while screaming “Where’s my goddamn pig?!” right in front of the entire restaurant would probably be the most hilarious and awesome fucking thing I’ve ever seen in cinema. Lmao
@@fairwarning007 Honestly the moment right before this shot is also hilarious where bloody and disheveled Nic Cage picks up a beautifully plated scallop with his bare hands, eats it, and immediately says, "I'd like to speak with the chef."
@@Knellovision I just love the fact you recited the dish so quickly and nearly broke into a psychotic whimper. There was pain behind it…and of course the Pinot chugging just added the cherry on top.
"we don't get a lot of things to really care about" this really stuck with me. I just finished watching it, this hit hard because almost everyone can relate, we all give up on our dreams and do what we HAVE to do instead of what we WANT to do and hide behind a fake smile.
@@vrfvfdcdvgtre2369 Not so sure about that one. I hear there may be some genuine passion behind the molecular gastronomy (or at least *may* *have* *been* back when it first started; "copycats", not so much maybe).
Oh please just another Pseudo intellectual spouting dribble because you heard some crappy you tube show talk about. Stop alright. We all get it! You are a very superior millennial or Gen Z’er. Congrats! Here is your cookie now F OFF!
Then we should consider if what we gave up on truly is gone and wether we really have to do what we convinced ourselves we had to. I left my job in a law firm to be a lawyer to a ngo. Much happier and much more fulfilled than previously
I find it so heartwarming that despite working with this man for only two short months over a decade ago, he not only remembers the reason why he fired him, but the dreams and aspirations the young chef had. It says so much about his character in just a few small lines.
I don't think it was the impression, so much that it's hinted at throughout the movie that Feld had perfect recall. For example, toward the end when he's gathering the ingredients, he said he remembered every dish and every person he ever served.
Really is a commentary on the industry and how artists/enthusiasts have to put aside their dreams and aspirations to appease the critics. And as RLM say in their review, he doesn't say it to spite the guy, he's almost reaching out in an attempt to help him. Fantastic scene.
@@unhomme643 It's a theme that has fascinated me, I'll check that out. I recently encountered it in a semi-autobiographical confessional video game called "The Beginner's Guide" as a dialogue between two game developers who are torn between artistic expression for themselves versus participating in the public discourse and artistic salon environment of the indie darlings.
It's more than just the industry. It is a social commentary on the whole society, people becoming pretentious, to be part of something fake and unreal while they die a little inside each day.
its a shame western writing doesnt get good recognition while slop like woke stuff and anime aka the bad writing shows get printed out left and right. all the good old material is being buried and forgotten, what a time to be alive.....
Ikr!He really did catch the essence of a guy who knows something that someone else needs to know but mainly something that they’re not supposed to know AND a guy who lies to himself and he doesn’t even realize it.if you get what I mean lol
Yes! The director is asking so much from this performance even though it's only 5 minutes. His reaction is incredibly important to the levity of Rob's words. Glad someone else noticed!
I love how he abruptly answers Rob's "what dish will you serve?" question and awkwardly laughs it off as if to say he only thinks of it as pipe dream and something that isn't attainable. It's such a subtle gesture of emotion by the actor and says a lot about who the character is. Nic Cage might've had the best quote but he definitely stole the scene.
3:55 the way he immediately said the name of the dish... Wow. You never let go of your dreams. Chase your dreams, people. Don't ever let society dictate what your goals in life should be. Remarkable movie.
While I don't like to call a movie flawless completely, when a film completely moved me personally than anything I've ever seen. That's all I need to consider a movie mesmuizing. I really love this movie more so than any I have seen all year. I pray this movies gets more recognition as the years go by.
This scene is so well written. Everything about the scene is about what a phony this guy is and how the only thing he cares about is being outwardly successful rather than anything that actually matters. His response when Nic Cage says "It's my pig" is literally just about how it's a "good business and expanding industry." He can't even answer a straight question about his personal interests - Cage asks if he LIKES cooking what he cooks and he responds that it's "cutting edge" as if that in any way answers the question. Everything out of the guy's mouth tells you who he is. Nothing is wasted.
If you have ever had to put work in at a restaurant you will run into countless people like this chef. The industry creates people just like this chef. I have seen over and over again with our Executive Chefs. These guys trade their passions for money and you get to see it in real time. THEY TALK JUST LIKE THE CHEF IN THE MOVIE. This is more than well written. This is REAL. Line for line I have heard this all said by someone who put a menu together for moneys sake. Jon I you're right this scene is so well written. "Liver Scotch Eggs with a Honey Curry Mustard" every chef has a recipe on their mind and that line sealed it for me.
I also love how the movie exposes him as a phony character, but is at the same time extremely sympathetic and understanding to him. Most people don’t live their dreams and instead compromise. But like Rob said - we don’t really get a lot of things to care about.
Like 90% of people in the world or that you meet?? I am happy to have my family and to be able to take care of them. There is always something "more" to strive for and our job's our never finished because we're a work in progress. I think the most important thing no matter what is the relationships we create in life. They are what defines us ultimately, passions fade with time and especially success. Most people forget why they started in the first place. We just want to be content and happy but many want to rule the world...they have no true backbone. Money isn't everything but then neither are passions.
I love the slowly building bass in the background of this scene.. It's a horror scene...set in a brightly-lit restaurant...as Derek realizes how close he has come to death. Not physical death, but spiritual. I also love how NOBODY in the background is reacting to any of this drama. Why? Because they aren't real. Great work from both actors and the director.
That's deep. Totally agreed. It's like Derek's past has come back to visit him and tell him the truth (always frightening), personified by the person he admired most, all gore-covered and awful. As in, "causing awe."
Just goes to show that these "people" are just npcs who are so self-absorbed with their own lives and that they don't even care about something unless it involves them and their ego
Yes, I have often wondered where is the good food, well made classics, everyone loves. I really do not need chemistry, or eggs and bacon in my ice cream. Fine dining is fake, fake, fake, and this scene tells it. Bravo.
The problem is "elevating the simple" is taken into a weird perception that: "Posh is always great and a symbol of it." The point of this scene in a culinary view is that when no one cooks something they don't or feel passionate about it turns into a nightmare regardless of whether or not we take into consideration of their financial situation. No one is happy doing the things they don't really care about, and you don't always get rewarded for doing what you like to do, that's the point of this scene as a whole do you give a fuck about what others think when you're not even passionate about what you're doing; you could be Passionate about Gastronomy but then you open a bar that just serves drinks and no room for creativity you're gonna hate working there you're not learning, not growing, you're not happy and content.
Tens of hours in an overheated, windowless room would probably turn most people to drink and/or drugs. Imagine studying for years for your dream profession, only for it to turn into a living nightmare. And with bad enough customers and coworkers, you won't even escape it when you're asleep.
When I heard "Rob" emotionally utter "We don't get a lot of things to really care about" I felt that so deeply. And then the words "Liver scotch eggs with a honey curry mustard" escaped the chefs lips like they were truly hiding away in his heart all this time. What can I say besides "Well done" 👏
@@razony You think really? I think it all had a seemless narrative eve nif not spoken, it was all about loss and compensation within life, its just this scene he hit it on the nose.
Nick cares because the script cares, if it's a bad script and it's just pure nonsense then he'll just act with what he's got. Nick always cares about each role he plays it's just up to the writing and the director to bring out his best
I appreciate that Robin isn't saying all this stuff just to be cruel. He wants to help Derek rather than put him down. He sees that Derek isn't happy with his lot in life and encourages him to live on his own terms (instead of groveling for approval from his customers). It's coming from a pure place on Robin's part, as he seems to sincerely empathize with Derek as a fellow chef (especially with lines like _"We don't get a lot of things to care about.")_
Cage has been cited recently stating this as being one of his favorite roles he's ever taken on and I can see why, especially with this scene. In a way, it's like he's almost talking to his past self when he was taking big blockbuster movies from huge studios such as Ghost Rider, trying to make his old self see that that's not why he became an actor. Not for the money or fame, but for the genuine love of film. Although he changed his name as to not be associated with Coppola and find easy success, the Coppola in him definitely shines through when presented this scene's context and the sheer sincerity of his more recent performances, because even if the movies themselves didn't really deliver (looking at you Willie's Wonderland and Prisoners of the Ghostland) Cage definitely showed up for all of them in a way that is reminiscent of his early days when he was starring in movies such as Wild at Heart, Leaving Las Vegas, and even Raising Arizona (Don't flame me I'm not comparing Willie's or Ghostland to those masterpieces). But who asked? I'm just some random jit on RU-vid posting his overarching, pretentious reach of an interpretation of Cage's performance while plastered. 10/10 role and casting if I've ever seen it though. I'll fuck off back to my filmnerd hole now LOL
I love that Robin goes through nearly the whole movie with his face a bloodied mess, swank restaurants, walking through Portland, diners, whatever. Only washes up upon arriving somewhere truly decent and worthy of the respect, his place in the woods.
In this scene, Rob is like a time capsule that Derek just uncovered from his past. Filled with his dreams and goals from a time in his life he has chose to forget. To be confronted with the reality of who he was and who he now is would be too much for anyone to bear all at once like this. Fantastic scene and movie.
I do love how the chief is portrayed as a phony while still remaining heavily sympathetic. Derek's sold out, but Rob doesn't chastise or demean him for it, only gently informing him that his course of action won't bring him any happiness if he continues to live a facade. Rob even asks twice if Derek is genuinely happy with his hoity-toity food, and it's a genuine question as to if the man is living the life he wants, not meant as a pull of the rug, and Rob immediately detects Derek's hesitation in answering. Brilliant scene all around.
Many of you are dead wrong. Cage isn't "back"... He's always been the same. The guy you're seeing in this brilliant scene is the very same one who recently played in "Jiu Jitsu" or Lynch's "Wild at Heart"... Cage is almost like the american "Gerard Depardieu". a fantastic actor who's willing to accept anything. Shitty films, fantastic ones, cult ones, embarrassing ones...You name it. And that's also probably why we love him for it. Because no matter how amazing , cringe, absurd or ridiculous these films are, you can always be certain one of thing... He'll always be true to himself, he'll always give his best. He's a very prolific actor. the guy has 108 film credits ffs !... When you accept that many roles, you're statistically bound to have hits and misses...(in reality, more misses than hits because quality films aren't the norm). The japanese film director Takashi Miike is a bit like that too... (111 film credits as a director) the guy directed a handfull of masterpieces, some "cult" ones, and many dreadful ones too. That's the price to pay when you're not being picky or don't have the luxury to be extremely selective in the projects you're involved with. (like a Leonardo Dicaprio for instance). But in a way, that's what makes Cage "special".
Well said. That actually makes sense that Miike is like the Nicolas Cage of directors. Super prolific, and most of his movies aren't classics, but he at least tries to do something weird and interesting even in the bad ones.
"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. No one else can project inner trembling so effectively. Recall the opening scenes in "Leaving Las Vegas." See him in Scorsese's "Bringing Out the Dead." Think of the title character in "The Weather Man." Watch him melting down in "Adaptation." And then remember that he can also do a parachuting Elvis impersonator ("Honeymoon in Vegas"), a wild rock 'n' roller ("Wild at Heart"), a lovesick one-handed baker ("Moonstruck"), a straight-arrow Secret Service agent ("Guarding Tess") and on and on. He always seems so earnest. However improbable his character, he never winks at the audience. He is committed to the character with every atom and plays him as if he were him." -Roger Ebert commenting on Adaptation
Brilliant film...glad things like this are getting made. So many layers to this film...maybe one of the most honest representations of what the restaurant industry has become. Personally...I love English Pubs...and I hate how Bartending has made me chained to a printer, cranking out “craft cocktails” that take twice as long as it takes the guest to drink them and order another...and I don’t get to talk to them anymore...too busy muddling all sorts of herbs and berries while more tickets print out. I wake up everyday and there’s less of me and the owners would replace me in a second and have to ask my name before they fired me.
I used to work for a craft cocktail bar, making oleo saccharums and fresh orgeat syrup and all these tinctures, syrups and cordials only to later that night be used in 7 ingredient cocktails. I wanted to kill myself. Went and worked for a busy tavern after that and had a much better time. Now I work for a liquor distribution company and sell booze and love life even more. Get out of there dude!
This scene cuts deep. This is low key the best buddy comedy I've seen in ages. Lots of hearfelt moments, and a good amount of laughs. Nicolas deserves an Oscar.
saying "low key" doesn't add anything to your sentence, and in fact makes you seem uneducated since there are far too many people that use that term incorrectly.
This is honestly some of the best acting I have seen in a long time. Props to Nicolas Cage. We only get rare glimpses into this man's brilliance as an actor. Appreciate it. Help him pay his taxes.
When I watched the movie the first time I instantly noticed that people on the background are not eating anything from their plates, despite them being in the restaurant. I saw it in the very first seconds and because of it this scene felt incredibly offsetting and unreal. As if this whole place was an illusion that could be blown away by a single puff like a small cloud of cigarette smoke. When the main character said that "the customers aren't real" and the customers chatter went completely silent as if the illusion begun to crumble from these words, my heart literally jumped a bit.
Nicolas Cage reviving his whole career by staring In lower budget off the wall films, and I love him for it. Mandy is one of my favorite films in the last few years, this was great too.
This scene was fucking fire! Also everyone is complimenting Cage on his performance (rightfully so) but can we take a second to talk about David Knell (the Chef, Finway) and his acting for a second? Everything is right up there in the eyes and the way his face moves...and his voice...this movie was just chock full of excellent performances
Honestly, Knell was more impressive because playing a guy who trying to hide how phony everything is and then falls apart in the end in a believable fashion is more fascinating.
One of the most powerful and importance films to come out in 2021. Such a subversion of tropes and incredible film about loss, anger, and the masks we all wear (that disconnect us), and individual grief (that connect us). I am grateful that films like this still get made. What an incredible cast, and incredible writing and directing.
That feeling when you don't really sure, is this about cooking and restaurants or is about acting and movies. Because possibilities for interpretations are terrific.
It's about anything that you're doing to try to appease others. If you're doing something you don't really want to do then you will lose yourself and be unfulfilled.
Derek allows himself one moment of genuine pain when he talks about what he wanted his signature dish to be, and then desperately tries to bury it under brittle laughter. GOD, that performance.
He tore Derek apart. He made Derek feel like a complete failure but one who still had hope if he just decided to be himself and have it all back. This is excellent dialogue. He didn't do the generic "you had passion and now look at you". This felt real.
I love how Rob doesn’t deconstruct Derek’s career until he has a feeling that he’s not passionate about it. He doesn’t care what he cooks as long as he likes it
This scene is going to destroy a lot of people ☠☠☠ Also great motivation for those who still have time to do sometimes about it... Best scene in the movie by far! Cage is a Monster 🥶
The scene that cemented this movie as a great film. Everyone expected Cage craziness and revenge. But his character never got violent except the beginning, defending himself. He shows great emotional depth and even kindness and empathy. Beautiful way of subverting expectations, the right way.
That one great line near the beginning: "Time is . . ." "Sure." Meaning "Yes, get on with it," but also: "sure," as in certain. Time is sure. It's a guarantee that it's passing, and none of us will ever get a second of it back. That's just good fucking writing. I loved this film.
3:16 there’s so many layers to this whole exchange. Derek thought this man was dead and that he wouldnt even remember him. He remembers him, his position, how long he was there, why he fired him and more importantly what his real goal was as a chef. Now he’s in a bullshit restaurant selling bullshit. Most importantly - Derek needed his pig to sell more bullshit. But the quickness followed by the breaking when he says the signature dish is fucking incredible. This scene is amazing.
Watching the light fizzle out of Derek's eyes was one of the best parts of this movie. His whole life passes in front of him--and he realizes he's wasted it by choosing money and success over his dreams.
Swear to God the writing and performance is amazing. Scary how it sounds like a master Chef actually being candid with another chef. Almost like I was listening to something Marco Pierre White would say to a young chef loosing his way.
It seems that a chef and his apprentice have a life long relationship with each other. You can be the best chef in the world with 25 years' experience, but if your old teacher visits you, he can smack you at the back of your head and say: "Hey, you overcooked your pasta."
i was a prep cook. -- i started almost sobbing when Derek blurted out his scotch egg signature dish. I remember when i was so fresh and eager, a dream restaurant in my head. not revolutionary, but mine
To say I loved this film would be an understatement. This would have to be the greatest scene I have ever seen portrayed on film - pure brilliance. A big thank you to all involved.
"... every day you'll wake up and there will be less of you... " Mr. Cage said this was his last production. He is the chef. This monologue is the mic drop.
@@gamemediafan1714 Internet Misinformation Strikes Again. Well done citizen - beware what you relay. Here was the prompt: ""I do feel that I’ve gone into my own wilderness and that I’ve left the small town that is Hollywood," Cage said. "I don't know exactly why Rob left his stardom. It's never fully explained, and I like that about the movie. But as for me, I don't know if I’d want to go back. I don't know if I'd want to go and make another Disney movie. It would be terrifying. It's a whole different climate. There's a lot of fear there."
@@gamemediafan1714 Obviously this is where he shines. I feel like he lived vicariously in many ways through the Robin Feld character. Probably why he accepted the role.
I haven't seen this movie yet. After watching this I really want to. I already wanted to because I've heard good things about it, but damn, this is a good scene. I expected Cage to silently demand to know where the pig is and maybe threaten him, or get angry and smash the wineglass in his face. But no, instead we get real empathy from his character. And a genuine scene of him finding a real emotional connection with Derek. I think I'll end up loving this movie. Edit: I did end up loving this movie.
Deconstructing a man who is making a lot of money deconstructing food is epic writing and both men play the part so well here. I didn't love the ending to this film but this scene stuck with me
If you have ever had to put work in at a restaurant you will run into countless people like this chef. The industry creates people just like this chef. I have seen over and over again with our Executive Chefs. These guys trade their passions for money and you get to see it in real time. THEY TALK JUST LIKE THE CHEF IN THE MOVIE. This is more than well written. This is REAL. Line for line I have heard this all said by someone who put a menu together for moneys sake. This scene is so well written. "Liver Scotch Eggs with a Honey Curry Mustard" every chef has a recipe on their mind (that they want to make a reality) and that line sealed it for me. TRUTH IS IN THE SCENE!
When the chef speaks about the concept of his restaurant, 2:40 about “taking familiar local ingredients and deconstructing them, making them seem foreign, giving them a newfound appreciation for food”, it’s foreshadowing the conversation Robin (Nic Cage’s character) and the Chef are about to have. Nic cage takes the idea of the chef’s restaurant, by this point something familiar to him, and he begins deconstructing it. Afterwards, the chef realizes that in fact his restaurant is NOT familiar to him and IS in fact foreign. What was really familiar and important to him was his Pub, which he now has a newfound appreciation for.
When he chugs down the wine you can see the gears turning in his head as if he's thinking, "Wow... so that's it. I've gotta sell this place and open my Pub. I have no choice now. This is a total waste of time." And he's both terrified and astonished by this realization to the point of not being sure what to even do. Superb acting
I like how there was a big anticipation of violence in the movie but it never really was there,just one big jumpscare worthy flash in the beginning,hotel Portland and that little kick session on the Camaro which in particular showed how contentment with what robin already had and what and who he was happy with made it much more unimportant for him to look at these little things In life if we apply that little mentality that tyler/the narrator had in fight club about buying shit that end up buying us back.
I hope Nic Cage does more movies like this now that his financial troubles are done. He was absolutely mesmerizing in this role. Good to have you back Mr. Cage
@@da96103 He apparently had a lot of issues with the tax authorities which is why he was accepting a lot of movie roles he normally wouldn't have. In an interview earlier this year, he confirmed it and said that those problems were finally solved
2 years later, and I’m noticing how right as shit gets real, all of the background conversations completely fade away. And just before the scene ends, all of it comes back. Awesome sound design!
I have not seen this. An amazing and unusually moving scene. Wow. Both actors brilliant here, even the observing 3rd party guy shot was powerful and added depth to the dialogue. No musical subtext to hype the emotion or...suspense. Fantastic.
I love Derek's face starting at 4:38. Instead of slowly falling over the course of the shot, his smile slips in different parts of the face at different times. By the end, his face is pretty much how it started. but the smile is somehow gone.
"We don't get a lot of things to really care about..." a painful paragraph with great intellectual message. The scene above all explains unconditional love and caring.
this is such a very well written scene👏 and I must say that david knell totally killed it, definitely one of the best scene of the year, the scene where rob made darius and amir dinner is also another one that needs a shoutout. Pig is such a very good emotional film about lost.
this is the best movie theater experience ive ever had. the credits started rolling but nobody got up, everyone just sat quietly in their seats thinking
The squirmy, twisty weasel this actor gives us is a performance worthy of awards. Just absolutely nails making you despise and pity the character. Bravo
I love the part whenhe hands himthe glass; a HARD moment just happened and what could Derek say/do/etc. Nic Cage's character was really gentle and with him through all of that, and the they drink together
2:22 dang! Look at that moment... Him letting go of his rightous anger! This is the pivetal scene of the movie. Afterwards you see him resolve his issues without rage in a compassionate, non violent manner.
Yeah, I feel like in that moment he felt pity for this chef who was boxed in by investors and critics, who was so clearly desperate for validation he got pressured into doing these things.
@@spankminister indeed! It's such great acting by both cage and knell... Wolff did a great Job as the silent bistander too. I swear cage would have 5 academy awards by now if not for his "colorful" private life! One more reason not to take the Oscars seriously
At first I did not recognize who the strange looking homeless dude was sitting in a fine dining restaurant. However, the second he uttered a spoken line I immediately knew. Cage really does have a unique voice.
I really liked Ethan hawks comments (from an article an interview a ways back) on Nic Cage "the only actor since Marlon Brando that’s actually done anything new with the art of acting.” I think Nic Cage is underrated.
"They're not real. You get that, right? None of it is real. The critics aren't real, the customers aren't real, because... this isn't real. You aren't real." He's talking about content guys.
