THE TRUST

US, 2016, 92 minutes, Colour.
Nicholas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira, Ethan Suplee, Jerry Lewis.
Directed by Alex Brewer, Benjamin Brewer.

The Trust is one of the numerous films that Nicholas Cage has been making for some years, generally thrillers, often action shows. A number of reviewers have liked the film, but…

The setting is Las Vegas, two policeman who are supposed to be buddies working in the evidence room. The partner is played by Elijah Wood. We see them working together, the issues of evidence, those in charge of the holding spaces, the police chiefs. There is a momentary bonus when, of all people, Jerry Lewis, at age 89, makes an appearance as Cage’s father.

The trouble is that Cage discovers a huge secret vault, is suspicious of drug raids, and decides that he and his friend should find the means to get into the vault (including going to various stores, testing out equipment, almost getting through, equipment breaking, the finding of a hostage girl, an old man looking after the area…)

It is surprising to find Cage turning so quickly from good cop too bad cop and the pressure that he puts on his buddy who is very ambiguous and indecisive throughout the whole exploit. There is a subplot involving the young woman and her ambiguous attitude.

Elijah Wood becomes very cautious, especially when a huge amount of ammunition, money, drugs are all found in the vault. There are suspicions about drug lords in Las Vegas. Cage becomes manic, has grandiose plans what to do with the proceeds, intimidate his partner – who is eventually killed.

On paper, the solution may make sense but for Cage to turn on Wood and for Wood to die…?

The title is obviously very ironic.