The ‘Nic Cage Picks’: His Most Memorable Movies

Nicolas Cage, the preeminent film star of his generation, has enjoyed a prolific career spanning more than three decades and has won an Oscar for his work in Leaving Las Vegas. Of almost unfathomable range, Cage has taken on roles as varied as a superhuman supersoldier in Kick-Ass and a mild-mannered doctor in Facing The Giant. Too often overlooked, however, are the titles unrolled for cult viewing pleasure in the form of the “Nic Cage Picks,” as the actor is personally involved in selecting and producing these offbeat projects. Here is a selection of the most memorable among them:

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

Cage achieved a highly plausible portrayal of “Charlie B. Barkin,” the counterpart of Kathleen Turner’s Peggy Sue, as she travels back to high school. His astute portrayal provides both Barkin’s past and present life extraordinary polish, extending the comedy-dramas quirky vibe and keeping the audience engaged until the end.

Vampire’s Kiss (1988)

Before “over-acting,” Cage’s performance as a deranged literary agent became legendary. His portrayal of a man going insane after a supposed vampire bite was remarkable for its subtlety. The use of theatrical outbursts consolidated with his deceptively nuanced acting makes for a sight that is both comic and unnerving.

Wild at Heart (1990)

In David Lynch’s twisted Southern melodrama, Cage’s high-camp performance as “Sailor Ripley” is easily the highlight. Despite delivering what could have easily been a jarring misnomer, his energy carries the couple’s entire odyssey from one misguided venture to the next.

Adaptation (2002)

In one of his more surreal roles, Cage adeptly plays film-writing twins Charlie and Donald Kaufman as they explore the world of bureaucracy and the enticements of Hollywood. Ever the tinkerer for oddity, rather than differ his performances by accent, Cage captures the essences of the different individuals in a subtle and brisk way.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

When Captain Xavier Terry (Cage) kicks off his crime spree to support his gambling habit, his profusely unhinged presence––the stuff of legacies––makes it a triumphant return to a Cage-style of the super lunatic. Cage’s presence is inimitable, and the role proved suitable for him to drop a few lines of equal fragility and vulgarity–all coupled with child-like gleefulness.

Ultimately, while Cage leaves an indelible mark in his more mainstream performances, it is in the “Nic Cage Picks” where the viewer arguably gets the most out of his acting prowess; from his comic deliveries to his nuanced demeanor, it is easy to comprehend why so many of his fans adore him.