Nicholas Kim Coppola, the nephew of the great director Francis Ford Coppola, who gave the world such movie masterpieces of all time as The Godfather, Apocalypse Today, Fighting Fish and Dracula, better known to millions of viewers under his creative last name, pseudonym Cage was born on January 7, 1964 in the resort city of Long Beach, California, USA.
For the first time in the movie, Nicholas Coppola starred at the age of seventeen, making his debut in the comedy television movie "Best Times". Two years later, he already starred in two major projects at once - the melodrama "Girl from the Valley" in which he played the main role, as well as the cult drama of his uncle "Fighting Fish", during the filming of which he became Cage, so that no one could say that he got into this picture by pulling. However, by and large it happened so that it did not detract from the future merits of this actor, who already has almost a hundred works in the cinema, and about a dozen more in his work.
Let's remember today the best films with Nicolas Cage in the title role, in the chronological sequence of their appearance on the screen.
"Bird"
The first such picture was, of course, the masterpiece “Bird” directed by Alan Parker, which premiered in 1984. In this powerful drama about two young guys who went through the war in Vietnam, Cage perfectly played a cheerful, carefree and cheerful Al, trying to save his best friend Ptahu from captivity of madness.
The world of Ptahi is a birdcage closed by himself from outsiders. He is a bird who voluntarily hid from the horrors of war. And only the cheerful Chef El Columbato, time after time trying to reach out to his human appearance, is the connecting link between him and real reality.
“Bird”, without a doubt, is one of the best films with Nicolas Cage in the title role and the most significant in his career.
"Wild at Heart"
In 1990, David Lynch’s crime melodrama "Wild at Heart" was released, telling the audience the story of the extraordinary love of the broken and unpredictable Sailor Ripley and Lula Page, whose roles went to Nicholas Cage and actress Laura Dern.
What can I say, a couple of them turned out really wild, explosive and stunning. Sailor and Lula are what they are, and no one can change them or forbid them to love. So they rush along the endless roads of the United States, caught up with ruthless killers, and live every day like the last.
It is noteworthy that in this film, one of the best films with Nicolas Cage in the title role, the songs of the famous "King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley were performed directly by the actor.
"Leaving Las Vegas"
The next brilliant role was played by Cage in 1995 in the incredible drama directed by Mike Figgis “Leaving Las Vegas”. The actor embodied on the screen the autobiographical image of the writer John O'Brien, who wrote in his life only three novels, of which “Leaving Las Vegas”, which is essentially his suicide note, became the first, and the other two were published after John’s voluntary death, on which he decided at thirty-three years, literally two weeks after the sale of film rights.
The picture is like a real nightmare. Literally every frame of it is permeated with pain and alcohol. Among all the films starring Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas is in a very special place. During the filming, the actor really drank alcohol in incredible quantities and cried with real tears, and his work was rightfully marked by the only Oscar golden statuette in the career of Cage for the best male role of the year.
"City of Angels"
The truly divine film "City of Angels" was released in 1998. Together with actress Meg Ryan, Nicolas Cage told the audience the heart-rending story of the angel Seth, who fell in love with an earthly female doctor and decided to part with heaven for her, to be able to be with her, touch, enjoy every day and live the life of an ordinary person.
This wonderful dramatic picture looks like a fireplace flame on a dank autumn day. Alas, it has a rather sad end, but despite this, it becomes incredibly warm in the heart and soul of the audience after watching it. "City of Angels" is a movie masterpiece that can be reviewed endlessly.
"Family man"
The next unusually kind and completely charming work of Nicolas Cage was the picture of 2000 “The Family Man”, which is a true magical Christmas story, during the long days of the winter holidays reminding the audience about the days long gone by, the people they once loved, and the fate that, It turns out that once in a lifetime you can choose. And if you can’t decide on this step, the prankster Santa may come to you and arrange everything. True, the final choice will still be yours.
"Family man", like the city of "Angels", occupy a special place in the creative career of the actor, better known for the heroes of furious fighters. However, undoubtedly, lyrical and emotional roles are one of his main skates.
After a brief review of the early roles of Nicolas Cage, which made him world famous, it's time to dwell on several of his last roles, which best reflect the creative situation in which the actor finds himself today, when his name is increasingly pronounced in a common context ...
"The Gates of Darkness"
So 2015 year. The mysterious thriller “Gates of Darkness” appears on the screens, telling a rather terrible story about certain gates between the worlds of the living and the dead, which open just on the eve of Halloween. Nicolas Cage got the role of Professor Mike Lawford, whose son disappears during the celebration. The police are only engaged in real affairs, so the hero of Cage, in search of his son, has to go beyond the limits of the rational to the kingdom of darkness.
In fact, if Nicolas Cage weren’t in the picture “The Gates of Darkness” in 2015, you could have finished watching it in ten minutes. However, the actor, despite all the stereotyped and secondary nature of what is happening, is certainly good. For him, it even becomes a little disappointing, as if for some reason he was simply forced to star in such a film.
"Mission: Inadequate"
Cage’s next picture “Mission: Inadequate” of 2016 cannot be called unsuccessful. In this crazy story about Harry Faulkner, the law-abiding and principled citizen of America, who suddenly decided to pay his debt of honor and single-handedly catch the famous terrorist bin Laden, the actor is truly magnificent. Moreover, no one has seen such a Cage as he appeared before the audience.
"Mission: Inadequate" is a great example of modern comedy. This film, of course, is not a masterpiece, but you won’t call it a passing one either. If only because in it you can see the brilliant comedic talent of an actor who is more familiar to viewers in roles in dramas and action films.
"Revenge: A Love Story"
In the 2017 film Revenge: A Love Story, Nicolas Cage played the tough and ruthless policeman John Dromur, who came to the rescue of a girl brutally raped in front of her own daughter, whose offenders escaped prison terms thanks to high-ranking parents. Cage Hero - Gulf War Veteran. Yes, he is primarily a policeman. But when the law takes the side of the criminals, John includes his own moral code of honor.
The only thing that separates this action movie from thousands of other similar paintings is the participation of Nicholas Cage in it. At the same time, it’s much more interesting to watch the actor’s game than anything else that happens on the screen.
Robbery: Code 211
Robbery: Code 211, the 2018 movie, tells the next cop story. Nicolas Cage plays Officer Mike Chandler, who received a robbery signal, the so-called "Code 211". Unfortunately, the first thing that catches your eye in this picture is its obvious second-rate quality. To save this incredible collection of clichés and stamps is not within the power of any actor, therefore, in Nicholas Cage, selflessly and as if for the last time rushing to save a robbed bank, it feels like some kind of doom.
Of course, today the actor’s obvious financial problems caused by numerous lawsuits with his former passions are no longer a secret to anyone, as a result of which Cage is forced to take on almost everything that is offered to him now. I'd like to believe that in these searches the actor will not lose himself and yet he will wait for the role really worthy of his present level ...