I STILL may think Nicholas Cage's career is over based on many recent movies... But I dare say- this was possibly I think - he's best performance ever.I didn't even know it was Cage.The story is terrific.The line his father gives is HILARIOUS - 'Ya know what I say- F em - F the press - F the admin - and hell- F the people'...I spent EASILY 25 minutes in my kitchen mastering that line.This movie has meritThe acting ? I really really REALLY enjoy - it's EASY to find Cage's wife cold - made me think of House of Cards- CAREER brokered marriage and then - the phony guilt.Cage's wife in this movie helps me realize- THROW GENDER OUT THE WINDOW - people SIMPLY CHASE POWER - HUMAN BEINGS CHASE POWER - doesn't matter - male- female - POLARITY - ANYTHINGHUMAN BEINGS CHASE POWERThat said I have to finish watching this one... Only 1/3 of the way through.FINALLY- REDEMPTION to witness Cage DOING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL and BEYOND himself - I still think his career is over- BUT JUST MAYBE - he'll find a rare opportunity to really shine as an actor as in this movie.NO IDEA WHY or HOW it's below 5 on ratings.I give it a 10.MatchStick Men ? CLOSE for CageI don't - nor ever will know Nicholas Cage- we're all JUST people end of day- but - I REALLY like his work here - and in a FEW productions he's had opportunity to connect with in the past.I forget WHO it was - actor - that said- the ONLY GOAL is - to TELL THAT STORY.Cage does that here.Guy who plays his father is TOPS.

The Runner starring Nicolas Cage. While The Runner is just another mundane campaign trailblazer, Nicolas Cage still has some gas left in the tank. When the film bad, it's hard to watch. But because Cage is almost able to save The Runner completely on his own – despite the help of Peter Fonda, Connie Nielsen, and Sarah Paulson, we're able to walk away with a glimmer of hope for future Nic Cage features. Unfortunately, that's about the only thing we can remain stoked about once Stark's character dissection comes to an end. The film stables for a while and is predictable for this case of a film. It is more seen as a slow paced political drama, underneath its release which was limited then went straight to video through some places. There are reasons for this. However, do not expect nothing more than a typical run of the mill drama.

"Great men, men who build legacies, they aren't always decent." After giving an impassioned speech talking about the effects of the BP oil spill in Louisiana Congressman Colin Price (Cage) is poised to make a run for the Senate. When a scandal is revealed his career is over. Now, after losing everything he has to chose between wanting to make a real difference, or becoming like every other politician. I don't think I even need to state this anymore but I am not a Nicolas Cage fan at all. There have been a few of his movies I liked (National Treasure, Rock) but not because of him, it was the idea and actual movie I liked. This movie falls under that category. It may have been because of the political aspect but this was very interesting to me and watching a politician build himself back up is inspiring, especially when it is someone who is really trying to make a positive change. Not many of those in real life. Overall, a really good movie that Cage didn't screw up with his acting. His best in a while. I give it a B+.

I don't know what the problem is with movies these days other than it seems that only fast paced, herky jerky camera work and shock value entertainment draws the masses in..... but this movie was very, very good and sadly, terribly overlooked. Maybe it was overlooked because Nic Cage isn't on the flavor of the month list anymore but it's a shame that it was totally ignored by the critics and audience both. Cage did a wonderful job of playing a conflicted, somewhat tortured train wreck waiting to happen but good hearted politician who truly cares about the people he represents during the BP oil spill in the gulf. He delivers a truly human and well measured performance and you couldn't see the "acting" in his performance one iota. To me, that's a very good, if not great performance. On a side note, I loved the music in the movie. Especially the Tom Waits song "Picture in a Frame".Well done, Nicolas!