The Many Faces of… Nicolas Cage

So after some weeks off “The Many Faces of…” is back again. This time it’s an actor I will watch in almost any movie he is in, Nicolas Cage. His real name is Nicolas Kim Coppola and his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola. He changed his name to make sure people didn’t think he made a career based on his name alone. He’s a big comic book fan (something he also showed when he named his son Kal-El (which is the birthname of Superman) and chose the name Cage after the superhero Luke Cage. He managed to make his mark in Hollywood quickly and managed to get two Oscar nominations, winning one for his role in Leaving Las Vegas. His acting style is very unique and he is not afraid to go all out. It might not be something that everyone likes, but I love it. After the jump an overview of his many roles.

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I really can’t pick a favorite from all these movies, but I really liked him in Bad Lieutenant. It’s the seemingly crazy Nicolas Cage he shows here, but it was so funny. Other favorites are Face Off and Adaptation.

What is your favorite Nicolas Cage role?

29 thoughts on “The Many Faces of… Nicolas Cage

  1. I’m not going to lie, I’m a total sucker for Nic Cage, no matter how big/small good/shit the film is – I’ll watch him. When he’s good he’s entertinaing, but when he’s bad, he’s even better. Favourite video is Youtube’s ‘Nicolas Cage losing his shit’ – worth watching every minute.

    • Seems like a lot of people have a soft spot for him 🙂 I agree that when he’s bad he’s entertaining as well. I’ve seen that video, comedy gold!

  2. I have a soft spot for Cage. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen The Rock, Face/Off or Gone in 60 Seconds. I know they’re not his best films, but he always gives something different in whatever roles he’s in.

    I need to make an effort and see some of his earlier stuff, but I think some of my faves have to be Matchstick Men and Lord of War. Got Bad Lieutenant recorded, waiting to be seen.

    • Out of those movies I like The Rock and Face/Off as well. Gone in 60 seconds wasn’t really my thing…couldn’t really get into it.

      I’m sure you will enjoy Bad Lieutenant.

  3. I’m a big fan of Mr. Cage’s work. My favorite role of his is nevertheless an easy choice: Charlie Kaufman in Adaptation. Brilliant performance. Even more impressive since he pulled double-duty in that film.

  4. I think I’m the only one that doesn’t have a soft spot for Nicholas Cage! Adaptation is good, and I was very pleasantly surprised by Sorcerer’s Apprentice but my favourite is probably Face/Off, great movie!

    • Not everyone has the soft spot, you must have it for other actors perhaps?

      Great choices, although I can’t remember much of Sorcerer’s Apprentice (watched it on the plane)

  5. Hooray! I was waiting for Nicolas Cage to appear! Here he is! I like a lot of his roles too. I just want to see him start to do better roles again. his ratio seems to be 5-7 bad films for every 1 good one.

    • Hahaha, just ask me (a couple of times) if you want to see a specific actor/actress and I’ll try to do them as soon as I can.

      His ratio definitely gone down!

  6. I’m planning on watching some of Nic Cage’s crazier films, such as Vampire’s Kiss and Deadfall, but I’ve seen enough to realize that he is quite an actor. He was terrible in the fucking godawful remake of The Wicker Man (“NOT THE BEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS”), but he was absolutely brilliant in Leaving Las Vegas and Adaptation. Have you seen the video on YouTube of all his craziest moments?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1-oquwoL8

  7. I love me some Nicolas Cage, especially his 90’s movie like The Rock and Face/Off or even The Family Man (2000). From a critical point of view, it’s hard to beat Adaptation as his best performance.

  8. I kind of like Nic Cage despite his terrible role choices lately. He’s the only guy crazy enough to name his kid Kal-El!! Like Castor, I do love Nic’s 90s flicks like Face/Off, Con Air, The Rock… even his rom-com It Could Happen to You is lovely. I haven’t seen anything he’s in since the first National Treasure though.

    • That’s been a while since you have seen him in anything. I suggest you watch Bad Lieutenant, which is very funny and he’s completely over the top (in a good way) in that one.

  9. Like Castor and Ruth I agree that 1990s Nic Cage is the best Nic Cage. My personal favourite is Honeymoon in Vegas. I know, I know, it isn’t the best film but Cage is great fun in it.

    I’m glad this series is back, Nostra!

  10. Nic Cage may star in 2 bad films for every great film he’s done, but damn it, he’s quite the entertaining actor. I quite liiked him in Con Air, Face/Off and Kick Ass especially.

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  12. I have a personal connection to his Ronny Cammareri from ‘Moonstruck’. Cage is a gifted actor and he gets a bad rap for some of his film work selections, but Nic seems unaffected and never lets it get in the way of giving the role what he got. Loved him in his recent ‘Kick Ass’ and ‘Drive Angry’ parts. Fine post, Nostra. Thanks.

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