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Nicolas Cage is one of the most beloved (and occasionally infamous) actors working in Hollywood today. His signature brand of bizarre, no-holds-barred performance has charmed and baffled audiences in equal measure for decades, and it has made him a legend of the American film industry.
Though many of Nicolas Cage’s films and performances include numerous humorous moments (both intentional and unintentional), the actor hasn’t actually appeared in that many comedies. Many of his films straddle the line between comedy and another genre, and while his best roles often come in films like Adaptation, Dream Scenario, or Mandy, one of his most underrated comedic performances came in the form of a classic Coen brothers flick — 1987’s Raising Arizona.
Raising Arizona Is A Classic Coen Brothers Crime Comedy
The Iconic Directing Duo's Second Feature Is One Of Their Very Best
Joel and Ethan Coen have constantly proved themselves to be two of the best directors working in Hollywood since their 1984 feature debut, Blood Simple. Every one of their writing and directing efforts has sparkled with a sense of idiosyncratic style, a terrific sense of unique humor, and a perfect blend of darkness and light. Films like Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and The Big Lebowski might be their most well-known and appreciated films, but there really isn’t a single entry in their joint filmography that isn’t excellent. While Blood Simple is more of a straight-ahead crime thriller, with less of the duo’s signature black comedy, Raising Arizona is the perfect early synthesis of what the Coens would later become known for.
The film, a crime comedy about a couple desperate enough for a child that they’re willing to kidnap one to raise, is simultaneously one of the Coen brothers’ most heartfelt and hilariously dark films. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter are electric together, and their chemistry sells the film’s bombastic and silly premise, grounding it in a sense of genuine reality. With hilariously snappy dialogue, a breakneck pace, and a constant supply of bizarre and compelling supporting characters, Raising Arizona is one of the most underappreciated entries in the filmographies of both the Coen brothers and Nicolas Cage. The film’s content and setting are utterly preposterous, but the sincerity and genuine heart that the brothers’ direction brings to the story is unmatched, and that is what has made them consistently known as some of the best American directors in contemporary history.
It’s hard to beat the Coen brothers when it comes to genre-bending scriptwriting, and Raising Arizona is the perfect example of that fact. It ebbs and flows superbly between sweet and heartfelt, surreal and dark, and over-the-top comedic. The film never misses a step, and it showcases Nicolas Cage’s incredible dedication to whatever role he’s in — something that has made him one of the most admirable and engaging screen presences to ever grace a movie screen. Nicolas Cage himself is a piece of movie iconography, and his facial expressions are synonymous with whatever world he’s depicted in in a given film. The partnership between him and the Coen brothers in Raising Arizona is nothing short of perfect, and it’s a real shame that they haven’t worked together since.
Nicolas Cage Shines As An Ex-Con Turned Adoptive Father
The Actor's Range And Commitment Makes The Goofy Film Work
There have been a lot of things said about Nic Cage and his acting ability — some good, some very bad. No matter what a given person’s opinion on the artist is, it’s hard to deny that he is constantly and consistently committed to the part. Even in mediocre films destined for scrolling past on a streaming service, the superstar is giving his all. For every incredible film like Pig or Face/Off, there are a dozen entries in the actor’s canon like Dying of the Light, A Score to Settle, or Next — mediocre films that contain performances from Cage just as engaging and inventive as anything he’d do in an Oscar-worthy film.
Raising Arizona is the perfect showcase of Cage’s incredible acting range. The film showcases a wide range of emotions in the character of H.I. His character goes from angry and resentful, fed up with the world and society around him, to joyful and hopeful for what might come in the future, to comically overwhelmed or constantly over his head. It’s a high-wire act of epic proportions, and Nic Cage pulls it off wonderfully. Right beside him is Holly Hunter as Ed, his wife, and a former corrections officer. The pair is utterly entrancing in their joyous (and occasionally toxic) love, and their dedication to one another and the hope of starting a family together grounds Raising Arizona in a place of genuine empathy and compassion. These characters might be a bit dumb, and their actions are undoubtedly illegal, but their love and sincerity keep audiences constantly engaged.
Raising Arizona might just be one of Nicolas Cage’s best performances. It utilizes a different side of the actor than many fans are used to, showcasing his comedic chops above all else, but it is also just as soulful and deep as any of his more complex roles. Every line read is hilarious, every physical comedic bit is expertly timed and executed, and every romantic gesture to Ed is perfectly earned through the performance and screenplay. Raising Arizona might not be at the very top of Cage’s filmography, nor is it even in the top three for the Coen brothers, but it is one of the most effective displays of the skills of every artist involved. It’s a miraculous second feature from the Coens, and it’s one of the best early roles for Nic Cage.
The Futures of Both Cage and The Coens Were Hugely Impacted By Raising Arizona
Everything That Came In The Wake of The Film For The Directors and Stars Was Partly Due To Its Success
Without Raising Arizona, there’s a real chance that audiences wouldn’t have gotten Nicolas Cage in as many major roles as they did. In the wake of the 1987 film’s success, Cage landed roles in classics like Moonstruck alongside Cher, Wild at Heart with Laura Dern, and, slightly later, several epic action films including Con Air, The Rock, and Snake Eyes. Cage’s career has been a rollercoaster of stinkers and masterpieces, and through it all, he has shone as a beacon of willingness to be perceived as strange for his art form — something that so many artists could learn from. So many actors in Hollywood are afraid of taking chances, afraid of being criticized or having their images tarnished by odd creative decisions. Nic Cage, for all his faults, is nothing like that.
In a very similar way, Joel and Ethan Coen went on to be unapologetically themselves with every one of their films following Raising Arizona. Though there are a couple of entries in their filmography that certain audiences weren’t quite as fond of, it’s nearly impossible to argue that their canon of work isn’t packed with nearly all masterpieces. They’re a miraculous pair of talents in the film industry, and they will perhaps go down as the definitive American directors of the modern Hollywood age. Blood Simple was definitely successful, but Raising Arizona is absolutely what put them on the map. Without it, fans might never have gotten films like Fargo, like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, or like their incredibly underrated True Grit remake. It is so wonderful that audiences have gotten to experience the work of these masters over the years, and the silly little story about Nicolas Cage and Helen Hunt kidnapping a toddler is what they have to thank.
Nicolas Cage is one of the most compelling actors Hollywood has today, and with his recent output of more independent, compelling films like Pig, Dream Scenario, and Mandy, it seems that the future is looking brighter for the iconic performer. Similarly, though the Coen brothers somewhat recently split apart to work on their projects, it seems that they have plans to reunite for a new project soon. Whatever happens next for all artists involved, one thing is for sure: Raising Arizona is a bright spot in the careers of all involved. Splendid character work, hilarious action, heartfelt emotional beats, and goofy villains make the film nearly perfect, and it remains one of Nicolas Cage’s absolute best comedic performances.
