A politician embroiled in a scandal is Nicholas Cage’s latest screen portrayal
Actor Nicholas Cage can somehow relate to his latest role in The Runner, which sees the 51-year-old California native portray Colin Price, a politician from New Orleans whose personal life and career get tangled in a video scandal.
While Cage – whose best films include Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Con Air (1997) and Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) – doesn’t have “intimate” private videos, he does admit that being a Hollywood celebrity makes him feel constantly exposed to public scrutiny both in his personal and professional life.
“With the advent of this kind of TMZ culture, it sadly seems to have infiltrated the vanguard of film commentary,” he tells TIME.
“I see these reviews sometimes where I think, well, you have a right to say whatever you want about my work, and I will listen whether it’s good or bad and see if there’s something that I might work with, but personal issues don’t have a place in film commentary.”
The role is fictional but the story – with the 2010 BP oil spill serving as a backdrop – is a common occurrence in today’s world, as is the prevalence of invasion of privacy and character assassination, something that didn’t escape the actor’s attention.
“This is largely why I made the movie,” Cage says. “I see this happening in an increasingly high rate of speed. Without mentioning any names, I looked at all the stories of the various people that might come to mind. Some of them have flaws by whatever you consider appropriate or acceptable in society.”
And unlike other Hollywood stars, the thought of entering the political arena never crossed Cage’s mind. He can act the part in front of the camera but wouldn’t dare touch the role in real life.
“I’m not wired that way. I often wonder what makes somebody want to be a politician in the first place. I’d like to think it’s because they care, but sometimes it gives me pause for thought.”
Director: Austin Stark
Also starring: Connie Nielsen, Peter Fonda, Wendell Price and Sarah Paulson
Running time: 90 minutes
Rating 18+
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