reviewed by Brian "The Naked Gun" Felts
& Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell.
"The Weather Man" stars Nicholas Cage (Lords of War) as David Spritz, who despite having a successful career as
a weatherman for a WGN- like TV station in Chicago, his personal life is a disaster, being separated from his
wife, an over weight daughter and a son who is a recovering drug addict even though he is in his early teens.
Just as he learns that his career may get even better with a national TV show audition, he is told by his Noble
Prize winning father that he has inoperable stomach cancer and now David must cope with his belief that he has let
his father down and can't change anything before he dies.
This movie is depressing from the opening scene. The way it is shot, the lines in it, and the story, are
all very unnerving. While it is difficult to watch, to me, this is the only way this story could be told.
There are so many different emotions that are examined in the father - son relationship, and unfortunately,
because of our view on life to some degree, it is a rather depressing story. Screenwriter Steve Conrad should
get much praise writing a movie that is very honest. I suspect that most men may not like it because in many
scenes they may be looking into a mirror, or watching the story of their life.
One of the beliefs that is attacked is the money will solve everything belief. Constantly Cage's character
keeps saying that once he gets the job in New York, he would be able to save his marriage by starting over in
New York. He completely ignores that he and his ex just don't get along with each other and no amount of money
would change that. His character also thinks that his father would become proud with him because of the kind of
money he is making, ignoring that his father just wants him to be happy no matter what he is doing and is proud
of him no matter what.
Another great choice by the writer is the difficulties the children are having with life. The daughter is over
weight yet wearing clothes made for Brittany Spears. So the boys in the school have nicknamed her camel toe.
Conrad does a wonderful job of putting the character in the right situation to make the daughter feel better
about herself without realizing what it could do to her. Conrad's choice to have the son as a recovering drug
addict who is being treated by a counselor who wants to molest him is a bold and daring choice that is quite
disturbing. I imagine as a parent, you are very protective of who and where your daughter is and just assume
your son does not have to worry about these things. But in this day in age that is not the case and the movie
addresses this depressing subject beautifully.
Nicholas Cage did a great job in a very difficult role. At no time does he get boring which is important
in this kind of role. If he is too lazy in his performance, then the movie would be a complete bore. Kudos
also goes to Michael Caine (Batman Begins) as the father to Cage, and Hope Davis (Proof) in yet another great
role as the ex-wife having to deal with the lost ex-husband.
I can not say enough about this movie. Time and time again I was forced to look at myself in this movie
and I did not like what I saw. Movies that can make us think are always wonderful and I hope that people
will go and learn something from this movie. I also hope that it is not ignored at Oscar® time.
Brian - the Naked Gun I thought "The Weather Man" was very depressing and extremely awkward. I'm certain both aspects were deliberate and
useful, but the "feel" of the picture kept me out of it. The picture went well out of its way to make the viewer
not feel like he or she was a part of any of it, unless you had a connection to the plights of David (Cage). Hope Davis was one of my favorite performances, and I hope she nabs a supporting actress award somewhere, as I hope the same
for Michael Caine, even though I'm pretty bitter about his Oscar® win for "Cider House Rules" still.
Boy, his accent sucked in that one. I very much liked the analogical and sub textual imagery of "The Weather Man." I felt it was the picture's greatest
strength. For example: David is walking through downtown Chicago, crowded streets, giving us a voice over about how everyone
starts their life trying to be several people, but as they get older, they hit a point where they become one person. At that point, everyone on screen has walking into a nearby building, leaving David to be the sole pedestrian on the street.
Very strong stuff. The picture is littered with stuff like that. The only other thing that annoyed the crap out of me about this movie was the freaking music; however, in hindsight, I'd
have to say it fit into the picture's theme of "all things awkward." I thought the music composed for the movie was
very out of place. You all can argue over whether or not it was planned. I'll accept either answer, but simply say the
music was functional, but still sucked. The material was very well written, paced fairly well, and found ways to make you laugh, which it desperately needed
at many times, kudos for director Gore Verbinski (The Mexican, Pirates of the Caribbean) on that.
I will suggest seeing it, although I won't label it a MUST SEE. Bring your favorite antidepressant of choice and watch
a highly interesting film. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
This is a great movie that dives deep into the emotions of the middle aged man. I suggest that any woman
who wants to understand what her husband is going thru emotionally, than this is your movie. This movie
should touch adult men on some if not all levels and should cause us to rethink the way we think.