Pig

Michael Sarnoski's debut feature film Pig slowly and deliberately ponders human emotions without being ponderous.

The story, which he co-wrote with Vanessa Block, is a quest tale about a loner truffle hunter named Robin (Nicholas Cage) searching for his hunting partner and companion, a beloved pig, who is kidnapped one night from Robin's cabin in the wilderness outside of Portland. Assisting Robin, albeit reluctantly, is Amir (Alex Wolff), a flashy young striver with "Daddy issues" who peddles Robin's truffles in the highly lucrative gourmet restaurant supply chain.

In many ways, the evolution of Robin and Amir's relationship can be anticipated. That's not to say watching it develop is dull; as Cage's taciturn wild man clashes with Wolff's brash urbanite. Both actors are terrific.

What was more surprising to me was the elegance with which Sarnoski, whose camera blends tones and temperatures throughout, discloses the truths that are driving the unlikely pair -- Robin's past notoriety and enduring pain and Alex's essential emptiness that Robin's mix of genius and madness seems to fill.