Few would argue that Nicolas Cage has become one of the most influential men in Hollywood, but many would question how he got there. There is no denying his appeal - he has turned dark and odd performances into brilliantly charming personae - but as far as career management goes, Nick Cage has certainly taken the road less travelled. Cage comes from a prestigious Hollywood family. His real last name is Coppola, and his uncle is none other than Francis Ford Coppola. Nick changed his last name in order to avoid any expectations his name might evoke. From early on, Cage showed a knack for playing quirky and enigmatic roles in such films as Vampire’s Kiss and Raising Arizona. Cage delighted in putting in extreme performances for his extreme characters, going so far as to eat a live cockroach in Vampire’s Kiss.
Throughout the 80s, Cage worked in odd comedies and delighted audiences with his mischief, but the 90s have truly proven to be his decade. In 1992, critics hailed Cage for his entertaining turn in Honeymoon in Vegas and he got a lot of positive press for his performance as a crazy Elvis impersonator.
However, it was Leaving Las Vegas that truly marked a change in Cage's career. Mike Figgis' treatment of a love affair between an alcoholic determined to drink himself to death and a lonely prostitute impressed audiences and critics with its pull-no-punches, gritty realism. The role won Cage an Oscar nomination, and many other accolades.
Many people thought that Cage had turned over a new leaf, and would become one of Hollywood's most interesting dramatic actors. However, that was not to be. Cage capitalized off his newfound fame to land himself roles in a slew of big-budgeted action blockbusters. Among these were The Rock opposite Sean Connery, Con Air, and John Woo’s Face/Off.
His over-the-top performances impressed the targeted audience, but left those who had been expecting more from him disappointed. Cage has recently become a 'whipping boy' for people disenchanted with Hollywood's big budget approach to film making. Sean Penn has gone on the record, as have others, to express their anger at Cage for selling out.
For his fans though, it does not matter. For them, the bottom line is that Nick makes entertaining films. He and John Travolta have revitalized the action genre after too many years of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwartzenegger dominance. Films like The Rock and Face/Off provide adrenaline rushes like nothing else.
Nick Cage is the reigning king of high octane action. Long live the king.
