Roger Ebert Praised Nicolas Cage’s Sci-Fi Thriller: ‘Knowing’
Roger Ebert, one of the most influential film critics in history, often highlighted underappreciated films. While Pauline Kael is recognized for pioneering mainstream film criticism, Ebert and his At The Movies co-host Gene Siskel brought cinematic discussions to a broader audience. Their ability to turn film critique into an engaging art form often brought attention to overlooked movies. Despite mostly negative reviews for Alex Proyas’ 2009 sci-fi thriller ‘Knowing’, Ebert praised it as “among the best science-fiction films” he had seen, describing it as “frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome.”
‘Knowing’ is a unique sci-fi thriller that reimagines the disaster movie genre. Nicolas Cage stars as John Koestler, a widowed MIT astrophysics professor who discovers a time capsule predicting various natural disasters. As he tries to decipher these predictions to prevent future catastrophes, he faces scepticism from the scientific community. Ebert appreciated the film’s “expert and confident storytelling” and its high stakes, which he felt overshadowed its implausible elements.
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Although marketed as a typical disaster film, ‘Knowing’ is fundamentally an existentialist drama about humanity confronting its potential extinction. Ebert acknowledged the film’s logical inconsistencies but argued that its success lay in its ability to suspend disbelief and deliver dynamic action scenes that maintained high tension.
Ebert’s endorsement of ‘Knowing’ was controversial, as many readers were disappointed by the film despite his recommendation. He admitted to being “blind-sided by the negative reaction” but maintained his admiration for the film, which he included in his best of 2009 list. Ebert believed that films should be judged on their own merits and not strictly by scientific accuracy.
Ebert’s support for ‘Knowing’ underscores the value of nuanced critical discussions. In today’s cinematic landscape, many viewers rely on aggregate scores from sites like Rotten Tomatoes, which may not capture a film’s artistic qualities. Ebert’s approach emphasized the importance of informed critics who provide deeper insights beyond numerical ratings.
Nicolas Cage, often a divisive actor, earned Ebert’s respect for his bold performances. Ebert also praised Cage’s role in the controversial crime thriller ‘Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, which has since gained a cult following. Despite Ebert’s death in 2013, Cage’s career has seen a resurgence, with acclaimed performances in films like ‘Joe’, ‘Pig’, and the upcoming ‘Longlegs’.
–Farheen Ali
