Review: Nic Cage hits new low with 'Inconceivable'
Posted Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 11:30 AM Central
Last updated Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 11:48 AM Central
by John Couture
No, not the phrase popularized by Wallace Shawn in the film The Princess Bride, but rather a new film out this week starring Nicolas Cage. What is truly Inconceivable though is how Nic Cage continues to land roles in films despite his spiral from the heights of Hollywood's heavyweights.
Believe it or not, it has only been 21 years since he won an Oscar for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas, but it has been a quick fall from grace over the last two decades. While the name Nic Cage used to be a bankable asset that studios could count on to bring in over $100 million at the box office, now it's an afterthought fast approaching the likes of Danny Trejo and Eric Roberts.
Inconceivable is the latest direct-to-video film that deserved a better fate. While the story will induce flashbacks to better takes on the same theme such as The Hand That Rocks The Cradle and Fatal Attraction, the film only gets so much credit for trying to breathe new life into these classics.
The fact is that the film gets lost in its own desire to add intrigue and misdirection while failing to serve the plot. Ultimately, the film ends up looking like one of those terrible Poison Ivy sequels, and no, Inconceivable doesn't even reach the lofty air of the one in which Alyssa Milano aims to break out of her child actress persona with a risqué turn.
No, Inconceivable is just a film that lacks focus and ultimately the audience is left to check how much time is left in their punishment. What is sad is that the supporting cast is very talented and at first blush, you would think this film might actually be one of those rare diamonds in the rough. But alas, not even the acting panache of Faye Dunaway or Gina Gershon could save Inconceivable.
Nicky Whelan gives a spirited effort going against type as the psychotic nanny, but sadly even that is for naught as the character is simply a cardboard cutout of all of the similar femme psychos that came before her. Ultimately, Nicky is better suited for the comedies on which she cut her teeth and one can only hope that she quickly returns to these type of films.
As for Nicolas Cage, I'm not really sure what his next move should be. He obviously doesn't hold the same box office clout that he once enjoyed, but he is still a better option than some of the other direct-to-video gods. Perhaps he can take a page out of Keanu Reeves or Michael Keaton's playbook and find a way back to the good graces of audiences everywhere either by action or indie drama.
Given Nic Cage's track record, he should probably aim for the action option, but odder things have happened. Inconceivable is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
