CV NEWS FEED // A Catholic cinema expert analyzed Nicolas Cage’s most recent film, noting the practical lessons the film offers.
Cage stars in the new movie “Dream Scenario” as Paul Matthews, an unassuming evolutionary biologist. One day, Matthews wakes up to unexpected fame. He has done nothing spectacular in his life, yet everybody recognizes him on the street because he has been appearing in their dreams.
Matthews embraces the newfound fame but soon recognizes the struggles of being famous and noticed by everybody, and he begins to question its value.
Joseph Joyce, a long-time Catholic movie critic and screenwriter, analyzed the movie for the Angelus, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Catholic newspaper.
“This is Paul’s first taste of being noticed, and he responds with all the dignity of a toddler getting laughs by shouting a dirty word,” writes Joyce. “He’s done nothing to earn this newfound fame yet still tries to claim the spoils.”
Matthew’s fame quickly turns sour when people began accusing him of random incidents that he had no control over. As a result, all of his fans turn on him, and his reputation suffers.
Joyce notes that Cage was the only person suitable to play this role because Cage had to learn many of the lessons that Matthews learns in the film. As a young actor, Cage found success, but after a series of bad land investments, Cage took on any role that would pay, leading to poor performances and a diminished reputation.
“(Matthews) could be played by no one but Cage at this point in his career, for he understands better than anyone the double-edged sword of celebrity,” wrote Joyce. ‘Cage was once an Oscar winner; now he is reduced to a meme.”
Joyce observes the real-world lessons that can be derived from this film.
“The only consistency with humanity is that we are a fickle lot, and heaven will help you if we are allowed to dictate who you are and whether you matter,” wrote Joyce. “I always empathized with the man who built his house on sand instead of rock; beachfront property is wonderful, at least until it suddenly isn’t.”
