This is a follow-up post, inspired by my viewing of MANDY starring Nicolas Cage. Both during and after the film, I found myself thinking: Cage is a truly original actor and truly dedicated to his craft. And simultaneously: I would never dare approach him in real life. And thinking the latter totally reinforced the former. Certainly Cage already has a cult of personality around him, one I think he’s continued to cultivate either consciously or through the sheer creative energy unique to him. It had me wondering why we like to idolize the “insanity” of artists. Why people love the mythology of Van Gogh and all that. I think it provides an easy explanation to most people who don’t consider themselves artists, or most artists who consider themselves insecure (which is… most artists). The idea that: I can comfortably accept this person’s “genius” because I get where it comes from, from a place nobody but them could ever access. And more importantly, it comes from a place that I would never want to access - because it’s unnatural and self-destructive, etc. But there’s a nastier implication there, which I think drives this false narrative. That, oh they’re insane - that’s why they’re brilliant, implies that it’s a natural source, unconscious even. There’s less skill required, less training. And in some cases, that narrative goes so far as to say: proper training would’ve ruined them. Their “uniqueness.” I don’t have a rebuttal to this, but I inherently think this is a wrong and damaging view. To “other” someone like that, discount their talents and no doubt their training (self-taught or otherwise) in order to comfort yourself is a dastardly act. To say they’re not working as hard rather than admit that you don’t understand their process or their struggle is not going to further anyone’s understanding of art. It also blocks out important other facets of each artist’s narrative. For Van Gogh, it was the selfless brother who tried again and again to help and supported him no matter what happened. I honestly don’t know what Cage’s process is (and I’m not saying he’s Van Gogh) but I am saying: I don’t understand him one bit, but damn does he commit to his craft. And that’s all I need to know.
Additional note: just wanted to share this link of a recent interview with Cage. “The Klaus Kinski of California.”
