How Pig Deconstructed John Wick
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- Опубліковано 2 чер 2024
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Films Referenced:
Pig
John Wick
Nobody
Mandy
The Wrath of Man
The Equalizer
MUSIC CREDITS:
"Farewell (Strings Version)" by Tears
"Chunky Monkey" by Shtriker Big Band
"The Ballad of Orpheus" by Drosera Binata
"Eleven Hours a Night" by Odds
All music licensed through Artlist: artlist.io/Thomas-25435
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#ThomasFlight #VideoEssay
Chapters:
0:00 The Myth of Eurydice
0:36 Revenge Thrillers and Genre Expectations
04:30 Pig vs John Wick
07:44 We Don't Have To Care
09:59 Mirrors of Loss
11:26 Out of the Underworld - Фільми й анімація
Beautiful examination. Thank you!
Sir Michael Sarnoski, thank you for bringing us this beautiful film! It was such a unique experience.
Dude, you made my favorite film of last year! I cannot wait to see what you'll make next.
i’ve been wanting to watch pig since i saw the trailer but never felt it was the right time, tonight was. my mind is completely and utterly blown i cannot believe this is your directorial debut and although films like these never get the justice they deserve in awards season with all the mediocrity of the past years cinema (in my opinion) i am in disbelief that pig didn’t get more wider recognition even as a smaller film. i guess that’s hollywood and the politics of press tours and optics for you. i am eagerly awaiting what you decide to do next, and i’m hoping it stays true to what you want and not what will get hollywood to decide they want to pay closer attention.
@@liloa03 hold up, this was his first movie?
Hey Michael! Loved the movie, really do think it's a brilliant deconstruction of the revenge genre with a tremendous amount of empathy behind it. I was very surprised by how the story unfolded and how each character was treated as human, something you really don't see in revenge movies. Can't wait to see what you do next! (although as a born and raised Seattleite I do object to the slight against our city!)
I've seen Pig twice and I find the subversive nature of the film so refreshing. I love that instead of using violence, his power to captivate us and sway his enemies comes from his vulnerability, a disconnection from the superficial world & an understanding of people.
I was completely fooled by this movie, initially dismissed it as another John Wick rip off but when i watched it, it was one of the best movies of last year
why do you mean with "violence"? why you should use that?... this is so normal in every other countries
Cage brings more value to cinema than most people give him credit for.
I second that
a lot of people forget he’s an oscar winning actor and he deserves that award
big agree. his hilariously crazy performances get more attention than his great performances. Raising Arizona and Adaptation are two of my favourites.
Probably because he doesn't do it consistently. He did some astonishingly bad movies
@@TxxT33 A lot of actors that people think are great have to though. Like Robert De Niro. I think that Nicholas Cage is hilarious and awesome at the same time.
How this movie reveals the power of expectation was the key take-away for me. Until the last scene I expected him to snap and go berserk. Just because this is the behavior pattern we learned to see as heroic. The new doors this movie opens makes it a true masterpiece in my eyes.
I loved the bait and switch of marketing Pig like John Wick. In the end it's more like Chef, but much more emotionally powerful!
My favorite riff on the Orpheus myth is Salman Rushdie’s novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet. It’s an astounding book.
Putting it on the list!
Mine is Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Pig is literally if you put all your points into Speech and Charisma
Literally thinking the same thing lol that player who just speech checks his way through the entire game
I watched "Pig" after the first few minutes of this video because it sounded really interesting and I am so glad I did. It is a beautiful movie that I deeply resonated with. Ofcourse I came back to watch this video to the end and it's also great, as always. Thank you for this whole experience Thomas.
I'm so glad you did!
I watched it right when I saw the title of this video. I didn't even know it existed... That's how I like watching movies, only knowing that they are interesting in some way, nothing more. And I'm glad I watched this movie and video.
I did the exact same thing, paused this video as soon as Thomas talked about spoillers and came back after!
God, what a movie! What an amazing movie!
i had the same exact experience. one of my favorite movies ever now
idk if you remember hanging out with me on the Portland waterfront all those years ago, but when the algorithm told me to watch your video essay on the green knight and your face popped up, I was absolutely thrilled. not only to know who you are, but because I genuinely appreciate your takes. this video, like all the other's I've watched, is wonderful. Thank you for them, and congrats on the continual success!
sincerely,
that dude who jumped in a water fountain while wearing an American flag tank top you took a picture of that one time.
Hey Kevin! I absolutely remember. Feels like ages ago, haha. Hope you're doing well. Glad the algorithm brought us back together. :D
The scene where Darius tells Robin what happened to his pig and Nicolas breaks down and cry, that scene choked me up.
I cried.
nic cage is such a fascinating actor
That line really stuck with me "we don't get a lot of things to really care about" and the implication that we should take care when choosing what to care about.
Pig is the non-violence answer to John Wick
This was a phenomenal movie and yet another proof of Nic Cage as one of the greatest actors working today.
He‘s very hit or miss but when he hits he hits hard.
@@richardcheese4680 True but even with those misses u gotta admire his approach/commitment 😅... compare for example with Bruce Willis. Can't remember seeing him give a sh*t in any of his recent movies 🤦♂️
cyberpokey his style is definitely quite unique and I appreciate him for it. When he goes ape I go happy.
@@cyberpokey Agree
@@richardcheese4680 The thing with Cage is that for a good while, he had no ability to choose what films he acted in - he was legally obligated to take any part sent his way due to some incredibly poor financial discissions. This led to his reputation becoming what it is. Now that his debts are cleared, Nic seems to be fairly consistently taking roles in more "niche" films like A Color Out of Space or Pig, where he really shines
How is Taken not mentioned heavily? It's the primordial origin for the current spat of these movies. Normal-guy-oh-wait-super-assassin loses beloved plot device and goes on jarringly violent adventure to reclaim beloved plot device
And Death Wish did it before, revenge narrative aren't new.
@@heisenbergbad5375 dont forget A History of Violence
Watching Pig on opening night was a such serendipitous event for me. I was visiting my sister out of state last summer and saw the trailer for this movie on instagram. We totally thought it was going to be a John Wick style crazy revenge flick, and what we got was one of the most amazing movies I've ever watched. As soon as I was back home I took another friend to go see it and watching it a second time was also amazing in how I appreciated it.
The "Pig Keeper" is an ancient tale. The Welsh kept it in style, mostly.
Lloyd Anderson wrote a Fantasy series "The Black Cauldron" where an Assistant Pig Keeper goes on his quest, battling the Dark Lord and his minions.
In movies the loss of an animal cuts deeper into me because of their innocence and their unconditional love they gift us. Loss of those who are human is to hard for me to confront and i have only truly grieved once that nearly drove me to madness and because of that experience i don’t think i will ever truly grieve again apart for one,the one person who has had my heart for over thirty years,my wife and it’s with no selfishness i hope and pray she out lives me because she should be rewarded a lot more life than i deserve
excellent video - pig was my favorite movie of 2021, i was completely blown away by the story and performances. but my showing was filled with teenage boys expecting another Taken movie
This exactly mirrors my experience with this film. Some friends and I put it on because we expected it to be like John Wick or Mandy, fully prepared for some mountain man Cage action. Yet as it progressed and we each realized that violence wasn't coming, it held me spellbound until that final shot of him glancing at the pig's bed...
This was beautiful.
PIG was by far the best film I have seen in a while & it was wonderfully expressed in this video essay.
Thank you.
This might be the first time I stop a video to go and watch the film being talked about so it isn't spoiled. I'll be back later!
I was watching Pig soon after release and expecting the film to turn into a sudden guns blazing carnage-fest at any moment, but was pleasantly surprised. The expectation made for terrific suspense. Highly Recommended!
I was expecting an epic battle between Nick and the bad guy at the end but when he started cooking for him instead i could not stop laughing my ass off, because of the pleasant surprise
@@LuisSierra42 Exactly!
Watched pig and then John wick back to back on a plane a month or so ago, did not realize it was actually the perfect 2 movies to watch together
Cage's melancholy about things reminds me of Lacan's phrase about the underground man. "Those who are not duped are lost." It lends credence to the massive artificiality of culture and like a dance, you have to accept it to do it well and in step with others, you have to accept it as true or you can't dance. It fits perfectly with Cage's outlook, he is outside the game unlike the young man who drives him around, he's not fooled so it doesn't affect him.
I remember when I decided to watch Pig. I saw a john wick ripoff with Cage and thought "Man this is going to be BONKERS!"... by the end I was moved and amazed. I consider it to be Cage's best film.
This video essay has been the best demonstration and explanation of existential nihilism, and really focuses on the most important concept of life, that we get to choose what has meaning. I've already watched it 3 times, will probably come back to it any time I need a reminder. Great work!
among the many trash Cage stars in he also finds himself in movies like this time to time and honestly i can see him fully embrace it and once again regaining the respect of an oscar winning actor
Pig feels like the beautiful love child of John Wick and First cow
I thought this would be like John Wick, but man, this was such a sad yet heartwarming movie.
Among all others video-essay channels I think your style of narration really stands out. Thank you for videos, hope you're doing great, dude!
A History of Violence starring Viggo Mortensen is my favorite version of this revenge/regular guy with a past kind of narrative. I don't think it's allegory for Greek mythology like the subjects of this video, though. It's just a great story.
That movie was so awesome. The violence in that film is almost anti-cinematic; it's super quick, realistic and brutal with 0 glorification. Easily one of the best and most sobering portrayals of violence I've seen in a movie.
Fun fact it's an adaptation of a DC comic of the same name
@@skeletalsounds_ If you haven't seen his son Brandon Cronenberg's film Possessor I highly recommend it.
It's an amazing movie
This is by far the best video essay channel on UA-cam right now. 2 years ago I would have said it was Nerdwriter but you have taken the cake. Go make a movie
Pig was like a diplomatic John Wick, loved it so much
i just saw a random youtube suggestion video of this page and was instantly pulled in. 2nd video is this video, saw the spoiler warning and stopped the video and watched pig. a real underrated hidden gem. instantly subscribed. very much excited to watch the other videos of this page!!
i would honestly argue Taken did the whole "john wick" shtick first, and is what made it possible for John Wick to happen.
First video I've seen of yours. Pig is one of my favorite movies I've ever seen, but I was more drawn to how great and efficient your script and editing are. squeezing the analysis of Orpheus and Eurydice between the dialogue in the diner scene was really engaging and fairly impressive
Brilliant synopsis. Havent seen it yet. I love films like this, the intensity inherent in spare and meaningful words interspersed with long moments of contemplative silence.
8:26 That is some great rage and sadness at the same time.
Pig was so good, I watched it twice. I really believe it should have received an Oscar nomination. Wonderful story.
LOVE the quiet heartfelt moments🙌
Every now and then Cage pulls a good one out of his hat.
I had Zero expectations for PIG and knew almost nothing. I loved the movie by the time I walk out of the theater.
Kill Bill nails the revenge story. An assassin leaving her old life behind for love and normalcy, only to be attacked by previous associates.
I saw a trailer for Pig, had no idea what it was about, but immediately was intrigued. I saw it at an indie theater with a handful of other people in the theater with me. The tension in that audience was insane. Every single one of us was absolutely enthralled in the entire film. By the end, all of is were crying - sniffling EVERYWHERE. When we all slowly began leaving after the credits, everyone was talking about how amazing it was as we walked out of the theater. Truly a special experience.
What a beautiful piece. I’m so moved by it. Thank you.
Great video but I've got one slight disagreement with this, I disagree with John wick message being going back to the underworld was good or John learning that violence solves his problems, becuse the underworld was not a good place for John and it remains a bad place for him in the sequels, he isn't happy in the underworld he just tries to survive and live. John wick's main message is that actions have consequences, everything someone does will eventually come to stab them when they aren't expecting it and that john was foolish becuse he thought he could escape all the horrible things he has done, even in the sequels he continues on looking for his way out once again but there is no way out just a way to survive a little longer
Yet at the end of it he does go back to this life. He's going around killing people in all the sequels. And it's not really presented as a downwards spiral.
@@boianko He's drawn back into his old life, but so far it's absolutely been framed as a downwards spiral. The second movie plays with the idea of him going back to "business as usual" contract killing, and then denies it entirely - leading to him being betrayed and cast out from the assassin network entirely. The third shows how his attempts to regain entry into their society results in him both further cutting himself off from the peaceful life he tried to live, and being even further betrayed and hurt by the few people he trusted.
@@maxtenu I particularly like how "John Wick: Chapter 2" gives an entirely inverse perspective on things now. We rooted for John the first time because he was a man on a mission getting back against some punk who did all this for a damn car. The next time, Winston's words come back to haunt John and the events of what came next were entirely on his own doing because he choose to do what he did, and we now see a man not out on a mission, but a reluctant party that takes absolutely no joy in having to do what he is doing.
@@boianko ok bro you deadass either are trolling or haven't actually watched the films
literally the 2nd fucking film is all about how the stupid shit he did in the first is coming back to haunt him, he's literally FORCED to start killing again, than is betrayed, then at the end he does something EVEN STUPIDER that makes him LITERALLY the most wanted man in the world in the third film where he's getting chased around and makes sacrafice after sacrafice only to be fucking shot off a roof by the men he thought he could trust the most. NOW he's about to do something extra stupid instead of laying low and letting people think he's dead he's gonna help the pauper King out of petty revenge, the same thing that got him INTO THIS MESS. the entire damn series is literally "shit gets even worse: the franchise" he doesn't "go back to it" we actively see the consequences of every stupid thing he does. you gotta be trolling bro
I went into Pig based on Chris Stuckman's recommendation, so pretty blind. It was an incredible experience and piece of filmmaking. I don't know all about the Greek legends and what not but doing this comparison with John Wick was great to see and further my understanding of what the filmmakers are doing with their art. Thanks!
Thanks you. This is a great review and breakdown. I also really appreciate the more authentic tone and pacing you employ here. This is such an interesting and important film, with an intimately unique tension build towards the emotional release that actually does something truly original and subversive, not just continuing with an effective but all too predictable & void of real meaning outcome that many others repeat over and over. I hope to see more of these dark dramatic-horror adjacent films that apply the genre toward more grounded realism and character driven authentic settings. Showing how great and rewarding it can be to layer these thematic elements and tropes around real world occupations, settings & personalities instead of the typical government spy, ex-soldier/mercenary, gangster, larger than life hero etc.
This movie rivals "The Room" for what appears to be unintentional comedy. I was blown away by how absurd it is, the deadly seriousness is what makes it funny. Nick Cage looks like a bum and never washes the blood off his head from the beating he takes in the opening; the over-the-top wank spewed by the server in the restaurant talking up tiny portions of overpriced ridiculous "cuisine"; the unnecessarily long pauses in the bakery talking about a salted baguette. Literally 30 seconds of silence, giving drama and tremendous import to a man ordering a loaf of bread. And the restaurant worker fight club. Genius! 10/10
Oh ... and Cage's former sous chef who runs a successful restaurant fleecing hipster suckers with obscenely overpriced nonsensical locally sourced organic free range concoctions bursting into tears because his dream was to serve scotch eggs in a pub. ROTFLOL.
13:20 - I think that I personally needed to hear these words.
So thank you for this.
Also great video. PIG is a great movie.
Thank you so much for your videos, as a filmmaker and a fan, your videos really mean a lot. They just, have so much love and care. I feel like you "get me" with each upload.
Damn, I didn't even recognize Cage in the thumbnail for a hot second there.
Pig was definitely one of the best films of last year. Great essay Thomas!
haven't seen either of these movies yet (I know, I know) but I'm letting it play in the background because I think you're one of the best film youtubers on the website and I want to support your content. keep it up man
Nic Cage is great in Pig. I can't imagine anyone playing this central part better. Actors deserve to be judged on their best work. Therefore, Nic Cage is great.
I cried during this movie, and I cried during this analysis. One of the best films ever made. Great video.
thomas! you're a great critic. I love hearing what you think about all these great movies. Keep it up.
I definitely remember being taken off guard when the violence the setup lead me to expect simply never happened. The troupes of revenge genre conditioning as a complete surprise when cage talked out his problems.
This is cage’s favourite piece of work as well which is saying a Lot considering the breath of his career
Excellent work, Thomas!
Thank you for your brilliant way of sharing your knowledge. Mille Grazie
Thanks so much Thomas , this is an awesome look at the similarities and differences.
I am really glad I came to have access to your words. I really enjoy the content You make, and how You make it.
PIG is so much, that kind of movie you desperately want to discuss after watching. I've stumbled upon a few so called "reviews", that are more a simple summary than a review, simply put they lacked of opinion and observation. But gladly I stumbled onto your review and received some insight of an honest opinion with value. So first thank you for the existence of this review and your efforts.
Further you beautifully articulate, what I so much enjoyed about this film. The comparissons to "The Myth Of Eurydice" and "John Wick" help me very much grasping, why this film was sooooo hugely diffrent from familiar themes of grief and rage, and why expectations are helpful to pick one up emotionally.
This movie is so smart in directing you in the emotional turmoil of the main character, you think you are watching another revenge thirsty and highly violent movie. (Though I in all honesty enjoy the whole John Wick saga, I appreciate this movie way more.) You expect violence, but instead of sucker punches one receives unexpected pointedly truth bombs. They hit hard too, but way deeper under the surface than most punches do. I so much enjoy this messed up and seemingly lost character speaking so clearly his truth about what is worth his time and devotion. You just don't expect this broken seemingly lost person to deeply understand what in this world has value. My own experience of loss, left me with some insight too, but this character really understands what to him has value and why. And for someone beeing depressed, loosing the last glimps of hope and still beeing forgiving, even helpful to others in pain, is almost unhuman. (He didn't have to cook for the thief, and yet he still does it with all his talent and devotion.) He lost everything and still heals someone else, who hurt him first. That is just an epic turnover of expectations and so gently told in visuals. I am in awe of this movie and of Cages ability of showing raw human emotion.
Again thank you for sharing this very helpful review with an thoughtfull opinion. I enjoyed watching this review very much.
Good work on the video. I decided to watch the movie after seeing the thumbnail for this video. You did a great job of retaining the emotion the movie had. You also convinced me to read some Greek mythology
very insightful. thank you for the amazing interpretation of the film.
this movie has a special place in my heart. I like your in-depth view it made me appreciate these movies more.
This was beautiful. I forgot how poetic Pig really is. Thank you for this thoughtful examination!
You’re amazing at this, thank you!
Pig and John Wick, its like the Yin Yang. Difference style but almost same environment feeling.
NO SPOILER WARNING FOR ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE?!?
;-)
There were moments of Pig I found moving but it largely didn’t work for me. And that sucks, cause I really thought it would. Cage was great in the film though for sure.
History of Violence is also a great revenge flick
I’m glad you did a video for pig was hoping for it
Wow, you nailed it. Great job!
One of my favorite films of the year. Brilliant performance by Mr Cage.
Excellent break down. Thank you. 🙏
Had this film ready for a while and finaly saw it. Very very good! Delicate and touching. Nick is my hero from the times of Leaving Las Vegas. Great performance Once again!
Didn’t care for Pig much upon release, but this video really makes me want to revisit it. Great analysis!
The subtle art of revenge in John Wick: "a f***ING PENCIL!"
I adore how touching and gentle this movie is. Like many I went in expecting a Nobody/Wick style movie and was pleasantly surprised to get something completely different. I really should of seen it comming seeing how Pig was rated 12a instead of 16.
Thanks for the great video essay. After I finished the movie, I somehow think that Rob will return to society, moving on with his life while finding new things to love and care but this time he will know that those will be gone eventually. he won't be obsessed but truly love each moments and companies.
Went into this movie blind and it surprised the hell outta me no other movie like PIG
Wait a movie where the main character doesn't torture people for information? How is that possible?
I'm gonna need my pig back *pumps shotgun*
As a Portlander, this movie hit me really hard, as with many critics' analysis of it. I haven't been able to watch it again.
your point about spoilers sparked this idea: The first viewing of a movie is unique in that the concept of a spoiler matters. After that, unless the film made very little impression, there are no spoilers. I find, I think, that spoilers do not harm my first viewing of a movie; they change it, but I don't think they harm it...
Thomas, what's that grey sweater you're wearing? It reminds me of that one Daniel Day Lewis wears at the end of "There Will Be Blood" . Great video!
I've had it for years and have no memory of where it came from. I think it may have been H&M or something. I buy a lot of clothes second hand.
Good stuff man! Good stuff.
This was such an incredible analysis
Lovely. I will make sure to see this movie.
PIG is an inquiry into values. Do it yourself. For yourself.That's "authentic". Value can only come from you. If you love a pig, that is your love .My prediction: PIG will become a classic. A truly wonderful movie.Thank you, Thomas Flight for your take on the movie. It was beautifully written and carefully filmed. The restaurant scene is a masterpiece.
funny enough before the "retired hitman" movie genre became popular (which i contest stared with 2008 taken), there was a movie that tackled such a premise with a much darker tone and greater emotional depth: 2005 a history of violence
Excellent Discussion!
Would you consider doing a video on mise-en-scene? It’s a concept that all great directors talk about but I can’t seem to understand.
Great analysis
Pig is by far one of Nicolas’s best works, at least it surely got a place in top 10 or even 5
"Amir doesn't listen to Classical music, but recordings that try help him appreciate Classical music"
Me: Watching video essays about films instead of watching films
Excellent video
4:14 paused the video and watched pig, now I'm ready for the review. 😊