Pig Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nicolas Cage’s truffle pig gets yoinked, so he goes full Liam Neeson, but instead of headshots, he serves gourmet shade and emotional vulnerability.

🍿 Pig: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Hermit and His Pig

Robin ‘Rob’ Feld, a former acclaimed chef, lives a solitary life in the Oregon wilderness with his truffle-hunting pig. He sells the truffles he finds with his pig to Amir, a young and ambitious truffle dealer from Portland. Their routine is disrupted when Rob is attacked, and his beloved pig is stolen.

Journey to Portland

Driven by grief and determination, Rob enlists Amir’s help to find his pig. Their search leads them to Portland’s underground culinary scene, a world Rob had long abandoned. They navigate the city’s hidden corners, encountering eccentric characters and facing unexpected dangers.

Confronting the Past

As Rob and Amir delve deeper into their search, Rob confronts his past as a renowned chef and the personal tragedies that led him to isolate himself. The quest becomes less about the pig and more about Rob facing his unresolved grief and the choices he made.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rob (Nicolas Cage): A reclusive former chef and truffle hunter who embarks on a quest to find his stolen truffle pig.
• Amir (Alex Wolff): A young truffle buyer who aids Rob in his search, while also dealing with his own family issues.
• Darius (Adam Arkin): Amir’s wealthy and influential father who is revealed to be involved in the pig’s disappearance.
• Lori (Cassandra Violet): Rob’s deceased wife, whose memory and shared past greatly influence Rob’s actions.
• Derrick (David Knell): The head chef at Eurydice, a former pasta chef at Rob’s restaurant.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rob: “We don’t get a lot of things to really care about.” – Rob expresses the sentiment of cherishing what matters in life after his pig is stolen.
• Rob: “Every day you wake up, it’s harder to create. The more people you let in, the more they cloud your vision.” – Rob explains his philosophy on creativity and isolation to Amir.
• Rob: “I remember every meal I ever cooked. I remember everyone I’ve ever served.” – Rob demonstrates his profound connection to his past as a chef.
• Rob: “You’re not a chef. You’re just a cook.” – Rob sharply critiques Derrick for abandoning his true culinary aspirations.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,186,668
• Worldwide Gross: $3,889,432

💥 Pig Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a quirky revenge flick, and I got something so much deeper. The pain in Rob’s eyes, the way he carries himself – you feel every ounce of his grief. The scene where he cooks for Darius hit me hard. It’s not about the pig, it’s about connection, loss, and how we choose to deal with it. It changed me in a way I didn’t expect. I’m recommending this to everyone who’s ever loved and lost.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Nicolas Cage’s dramatic performances”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of grief and loss”
  • “Indie film enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief violence”
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Some strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Cage delivers a career-defining performance in this quiet, emotionally resonant drama. It’s a study of grief and artistry, far removed from the action-thriller the premise suggests, but all the more powerful for it.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “”Pig” is a poignant and understated film that explores loss and connection through the lens of the culinary world. Cage’s performance is subtle yet commanding, drawing you into his character’s quiet pain.
• Variety: “A character study of grief, food, and human connection, the film is anchored by a mesmerizing Nicolas Cage performance. The movie is beautifully shot with wonderful imagery and a thought-provoking narrative.

Audience Reactions

The acting was superb, showcasing Nicolas Cage’s ability to deliver a nuanced and emotionally impactful performance.: Viewers are captivated by the film’s profound exploration of grief, loss, and the importance of human connection.

The film defied expectations, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.: It is appreciated for its unique storytelling, subdued pacing, and refusal to rely on typical action-revenge tropes.

Overall Consensus: Pig is a beautifully crafted drama about loss, grief, and the unexpected connections that give life meaning, featuring a career-best performance from Nicolas Cage.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Michael Sarnoski revealed the pig only had three days of training and bit Nicolas Cage multiple times during filming.”
• “The scene where Rob talks to the chef at the restaurant was filmed at Eurydice in Portland, which, at the time, was part of the Saucebox restaurant.”
• “Mt. Hood, seen in the distance, is CGI and incorrectly placed beyond the west hills of Portland instead of east.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pig?

Pig is available for streaming on various platforms, including Showtime. You can rent or purchase the movie on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pig, you might like these similar films:

• Nomadland (2020): Shares themes of grief, loss, and finding solace in a solitary existence while exploring the American landscape.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Explores the depths of grief and trauma, with a character grappling with profound loss and isolation.
• Leave No Trace (2018): Features a father and daughter living off the grid in the Oregon wilderness, examining themes of trauma and societal disconnect.
• First Cow (2019): Set in the Oregon Territory, it explores themes of friendship and survival amidst a harsh and unforgiving landscape, with food playing a central role.

🛒 Pig Related Products

• The Truffle Cookbook: A Celebration of Truffles: Explore the culinary world of truffles with this comprehensive cookbook featuring recipes from world-renowned chefs. Learn to create exquisite dishes inspired by the movie and impress your guests.
• Nicolas Cage Pillowcase: Featuring various Nicolas Cage memes and iconic roles. Give yourself a laugh before bed and decorate your bedroom with this pillow case.
• John Wick (4K UHD): If you came for a revenge thriller, this is the film that’s most associated with the genre. Get the full collection of action in 4K
• Truffle Oil Set: Elevate your cooking with this premium truffle oil set. Includes a variety of infused oils to add depth and complexity to your dishes, just like Rob in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pig features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Danse Macabre” – performed by Camille Saint-Saëns
• “I’m on Fire” – performed by Bruce Springsteen
• “Lori’s Song” – performed by Cassandra Violet

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Pig Deconstructed John Wick

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of ‘Pig’ and its subversion of revenge thriller tropes, while uncovering parallels with ‘John Wick’ in this insightful video essay by esteemed film critic Thomas Flight.

Quickie: The Green Knight, Pig

Join YMS for a quick and witty review of ‘Pig,’ as he shares his unfiltered thoughts on the film’s unique approach to revenge and redemption, leaving you with a fresh perspective on this critically acclaimed indie.

✨ Rate