Why oh why do I keep reviewing these Nicolas Cage films he only does to pay his huge debts? The Trust is the latest of these and it falls in the middle of not being a surprisingly decent film like Pay the Ghost or the absolutely dreck that was Left Behind. It’s a debut film from the directing team of brothers Alex and Ben Brewer who had previously directed the horrendous short Are You Okay written by Bret Easton Ellis and featuring the band Dum Dum Girls.

The Trust falls into a long list of films Cage has done in Las Vegas where he also lives. It’s the tale of two rogue police officers Jim Stone and David Waters played by Cage and Elijah “Frodo Baggins” Wood. Cage’s finds what he considers “an easy hit” after doing some undercover work at a hotel and discovers a local drug dealer has a large safe in a building near by where the dealer transports and leaves his merchandise. They team together and attempt to pull what looks like an easy heist but as you expect things get complicated.

First and foremost The Trust has perhaps the most random cameo in the history of cinema. Jerry Lewis (YES that Jerry Lewis!) appears for less than a minute of the film’s 90 minute running time as Nick Cage’s father. Given Lewis is now 90 it’s very likely this will be his final performance. Lewis does have Max Rose coming out at some point (which was shot a few years ago) and of course The Day the Clown Died. Cage asked him to do it because they have been friends for years, I wonder if they close enough friends that he has let Cage watch The Day the Clown Died. 

Elijah Wood always has an air of the ethereal so playing a cop really doesn’t suit his qualities as an actor. Originally Jack Huston was casted as David Waters who would’ve been far more suited to the role. The pop star Sky Ferreira plays the wonderfully imaginatively titled character “The Woman” who plays a big role during the heist. The Scientologist Ethan Suplee appears as a another cop. Cage’s performance for the most part is fairly subdued except for the now infamous “open the door” scene.

The film overall is competent little heist film but Wood is woefully miscast and seems to have just showed up for the paycheck. Cage seems to be having a bit more fun even if it’s a paycheck again for him. It’s an ok debut feature for Alex and Ben Brewer and the end twist isn’t bad but their track record so far isn’t that promising. It’s gonna be in the bargain bins sooner than Wood’s Waters opens that door so if it’s in there you could do worst when it comes to these Nick Cage films. The disc is fairly barebones but it does include a short making of feature.

★★½

Ian Schultz

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