Pig

“You want your supply? I need my pig.”

In his feature film debut, Pig, writer/director Michael Sarnoski does not give us a revenge-seeking, blood-soaked, over-acting Nicholas Cage that mows down an array of adversaries who stand in the way between him and his fat furry friend. 

"not afraid to show its big heart, nor should it be"


Sarnoski gives us something way better.  This is a sad and marvelously strange film which will have you, ultimately, nodding to the make believe animal at your feet and whispering, "That'll do, Pig.  That'll do."

Living as a recluse in the forests of Oregon, Robin “Rob” Feld (Cage) leads a modest life accompanied by a prized truffle pig, who helps him in hunting and supplying the said truffle for a young, hotshot businessman, Amir (Alex Wolff). Their bond is unmistakable and touching.

But one night, a couple of anonymous thieves break into Rob’s cabin and violently steal his trusted pig partner, revealing just how competitive and dangerous the truffle business world is. Forcing Amir to aid him in the rescue of his beloved pig, Rob painfully revisits his old life as an admired chef in the city of Portland while also learning the true nature of Amir’s business and life.

Many mainstream audiences might write-off this as a movie with a silly premise. However, Sarnoski shows us that it is anything but. Hidden underneath the rather simple objective that drives the story, the real heart of the film reveals itself to be a tale that explores the complex struggles of grief, family, expectations, and as corny as it may sound…love. 

But at no point does the audience eye-roll or cringe at such fragile themes. The simplistic and reserved nature of the film prevents that from ever happening.

What unfolds elegantly throughout the film is the realization that none of the key characters are exactly who we first think they are, making it all the more touching and heartbreaking. Rob’s detachment from society is the result of a haunting past that he has tried to escape, not because he was a reject of some kind. And when he returns to the city, despite his disheveled and somewhat bloody appearance, his name and reputation still mean something. Pig

Amir is more than just a rude businessman that only treasures his bright-yellow sports car. He is an inexperienced kid who is desperately trying to navigate through the harsh business that his cold-hearted father, Darius (Adam Arkin) – who “you don’t want to make angry” – is notoriously successful in. And even he too has his own ghosts and struggles, despite the ruthless businessman front he puts on. 

The direction and cinematography are both perfect in drawing the audience into the dark, underground world that Rob and Amir explore, while also conveying an intrusive feeling at times when there is a serious insight into Rob’s current and past struggles. All of the actors deliver performances that feel truthful and even heartbreaking, most notably Cage himself. It’s a film that is not afraid to show its big heart, nor should it be. 

Finishing Pig, you might not think it is a perfect film, but when you keep thinking about it…you just might realize it could be…and then that it actually is. Though it is only his first film, Sarnoski proves he already has a strong voice, and that he will be worth paying attention to as he continues to grow as a filmmaker. 

Now, go do yourself a favor, and get your heart broken by Pig!

5/5 stars

 

Pig

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Decal Releasing
Available on Blu-ray
- November 2, 2021
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles
: English SDH
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Living alone in the Oregon wilderness, a truffle hunter returns to Portland to find the person who stole his beloved pig.

Video

With an aspect ratio of 2.39:1, Pig dazzles with its Oregon vistas.  Details are lush and leafy. The views look fantastically crisp and the flesh tones are warm. Blues are heavenly. Greens are leafy in their crisp goodness. Black levels are solid. The film is stylistically colored and the hues are adequately handled by an impressive MPEG-4 AVC encode.  

Audio

Immersive and intoxicating, the sound design of Pig will put under its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 spell.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • None

Special Features:

There aren't a lot, but fans will dig watching Nic Cage cook!

  • Nicolas Cage Cooks . . . 
  • Deleted Scenes

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 5/5 stars
  Video  4/5 stars
  Audio 4/5 stars
  Extras 2/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

4/5 stars

Film Details

Pig

MPAA Rating: R for language and some minor violence.
Runtime:
92 mins
Director
: Michael Sarnoski
Writer:
Vanessa Block; Michael Sarnoski
Cast:
Nicolas Cage; Alex Wolff; Adam Arkin
Genre
: Drama | Thriller
Tagline:
We don't get a lot of things to really care about.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Well, if the city floods we can always go up to Mt. Hood"
Distributor:
Neon
Official Site: https://neonrated.com/films/pig
Release Date:
July 16, 2021
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
November 2, 2021
Synopsis: A truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.

Art

Pig