Sympathy for the Devil, a film set to premiere in theaters on July 28, challenges the notion that stylized performances are inherently laughable in a world governed by realism. This discussion becomes particularly important when we consider the work of Nicolas Cage, an actor whose ironic popularity in recent years centers around his moments of “Cage rage” – when he goes to extremes on camera. While it can indeed be silly if the tone of his portrayal doesn’t match the tone of the film, Sympathy for the Devil proves that if you allow Cage to have the creative freedom he needs, he will lead you down the right path.
Although the title might give the impression of a horror movie, and Cage’s striking red and black hair and matching suit jacket suggest a supernatural tale like “Angel Heart,” the film is primarily a crime thriller. It plays with the possibility of supernatural elements but relies more on monologues, mistaken identity, and a soulful soundtrack that perfectly complements the mood of the story.
The film follows Joel Kinnaman as “The Driver,” an ordinary man driving down the Las Vegas Strip to reach the hospital where his wife, who remains unnamed, is about to give birth. However, The Driver’s plans take a drastic turn when Cage’s mysterious character, referred to as “The Passenger,” forcefully enters the car at gunpoint and demands that he starts driving.
The Driver pleads with The Passenger, revealing the urgency of his situation and his status as a family man. However, The Passenger shows no mercy and forces The Driver to embark on a journey into the desert. The majority of the film takes place inside the confines of The Driver’s car, with Kinnaman brilliantly conveying his nervousness through glimpses in the rearview mirror while Cage’s character delivers captivating monologues in the back seat.
It’s evident that Cage was captivated by Luke Paradise’s script, as he served as a producer for the film, which is a rarity for the prolific actor. Sympathy for the Devil marks Paradise’s first screenplay to be brought to life, and Cage fully embraces his lines, torturing Kinnaman’s character with his paranoid ravings. The Passenger’s relentless pursuit to uncover The Driver’s true identity adds a layer of intrigue, raising the question of whether The Passenger is misinformed or if The Driver is hiding something. The tension eventually reaches its peak at a roadside diner, culminating in a Tarantino-esque display of bloodshed and fire.
While the conflict between The Driver and The Passenger follows familiar crime clichés and loses some momentum once The Driver’s intentions are revealed, Cage’s performance remains compelling throughout the journey. The Passenger, a manic career criminal with a Boston accent, is portrayed with all his idiosyncrasies magnified by Cage. He takes the audience on an emotional roller-coaster, oscillating between tearful despair and intense anger that seems to make his eyeballs bulge out of their sockets. However, there’s also a genuine unpredictability and danger to Cage’s portrayal. Even a scene of him dancing to “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)” flirts with camp but quickly reverts to menace before any laughter can settle in.
The rest of Sympathy for the Devil demonstrates professional craftsmanship without necessarily standing out. The film’s color grading adheres to the standard digital orange and blue, and the cinematography remains unobtrusive, with only a few questionable slow-motion shots. Nonetheless, the film’s effects and production value are impressive, considering its presumably modest budget. The team behind this film knows how to make the most of their resources – and that includes allowing Nicolas Cage to shine.