A depressed, separated Chicago weather man struggles to stay optimistic about an exciting job opportunity while his marriage is falling apart.
DRAMA
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The Weather Man (2005)Directed by Gore Verbinski
Written by Steve Conrad Starring Nicolas Cage, Michael Caine, Hope Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Gemmenne de la Peña, Michael Rispoli, Gil Bellows |
If any of you are Filmgazm frequent fliers, then you know I've got a soft spot for the Cage. Even so, there's so much of his work I have not yet had the privilege to sit through. The Weather Man was one such work, and even his dedicated performance couldn't save this aimless Alexander Payne wannabe from falling into obscurity shortly after its 2005 release. No doubt overshadowed that year by the vastly superior Lord of War, The Weather Man tells the story of a man who has everything, but realizes he has nothing. Also, he's really into archery.
David Spritz (Cage) is Chicago's most recognizable local TV weather man. But he hates getting recognized and often has fast food thrown at him in public just 'cause. And I won't lie. It's hilarious every time. His successful and respected father Robert (Caine, once again sporting the terrible American accent that won him an Oscar in '99) is dying of lymphoma and his ex-wife Noreen (Davis) thinks he's a total fuckup as a father and husband. His daughter is kind of a dolt and his son is one new camera away from being molested by Tommy from Shawshank. David is anxiously awaiting to hear whether he scored a weather job on the Bryant Gumbel show, but once he gets it, they make a big show about him avoiding the phone call. Then, in the end, he has the job anyway. What was the point? That's a question you'll be asking yourself quite frequently. The Weather Man struggles to deliver a genuine insight into depression and how it affects people who seemingly have it all. The character of David Spritz was largely based on Cage himself, who at the time was dealing with harsh criticism from fans and critics alike, as well as a divorce. But I think a film like Pig from earlier this year does a far better job of acting as a vehicle for Cage's own self-expression. The Weather Man tried to do that, but in a commercial way that just didn't work. |