The Weather Man (2005)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A different way of telling a story

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Although The Weather Man has some very good acting in it, I can't really think of any reason why it was made, except that screenwriter needed a cathartic release for some issues he had with his father. This is an extremely depressing film, and so difficult to watch that I actually couldn't get through it—and I watch every movie Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine make.Nicolas Cage plays the role that endears him in audiences' hearts the most: a well-meaning but hapless hero trying to get his ducks in a row. His ex-wife, Hope Davis, vehemently hates him and even though they try to get along for the sake of their children, Gemmenne de la Pena and Nicholas Hoult, their group therapy sessions don't go well. He tries to help his children through their troubles while dealing with his own problems at work and tense relationship with his father, Michael Caine.If you have issues with your father, I highly recommend you stay far away from this movie, since the scenes with Michael Caine will probably send you in search of your hankie. Then again, if you have a relatively perfect life with no problems with your parents, children, or ex-spouse, you probably won't want to sit through such a depressing movie. Die-hard fans of Nicky Cage might be able to watch it in its entirety, though, since he does do a very good job.

The Weather Man is a film that plays better as a parallel to how Nicolas Cage is viewed in real life than it does as a feature film. That's not to say that the film isn't well made, I just don't think it has a lot to say, especially as it holds up over a decade later.Not many people like Cage anymore. After being an acclaimed award winning actor in the 90's, he fell off in popularity after making questionable career choices time after time. I've never had any reason not to like him, but I've also never been blown away by any of his performances (not including Leaving Las Vegas which I haven't seen). Cage plays David Spritz, a Chicago weather man who is liked by no one and seems to have everything go wrong with his life. Within the first 15 minutes, I found myself cringing at the way he lived his life. Buying a coffee instead of a newspaper for his father, letting his young daughter walk home by herself, and even throwing a snowball at his ex-wife in order to keep her attention? Not exactly the most productive way to gain people's admiration.The Weather Man is about as bland as you think a real weather man's daily life would be, and the film plays off those stereotypes. But it's difficult to ever get behind a character that can't figure out his priorities in life when he only works a few hours a day, gets paid over 200 thousand dollars a year, and lives in the greatest city in the world. Now, I understand that it just uses the occupation as a backdrop for a story about a man who has nothing go right in his life. The problem is, the number one thing that I look for in a movie is if I can get behind the characters and root for them. If I'm being honest, I was finding some enjoyment in just how poorly this man's day was going. I think if Spritz didn't make everything about himself, I could have shown some more compassion.The performances are fine, including supporting turns from Michael Caine, Hope Davis, and a young Nicholas Hoult, but they're nothing spectacular. There are several unnecessary scenes, including one really awkward scene with a sexual predator. It's built around Cage's performance and it's not exactly one that carries much weight. The best thing I can say is that there isn't a ton to dislike, but there's much to like either.+Semi-interesting look into a weather man's life-Bland-Truly cringe worthy moments5.3/10

Nicholas cage plays the same character time after time. He is alone; he once had a nice family; his children are weird or dysfunctional. He has done something in the past that has left him out there on an island of hopelessness and depression. He also manages to get back to the surface and begin to live. He has acuity and knows that he has screwed up. He is ready for redemption but has to find the way there. In this one he is a very talented guy who has on-screen charisma but has been relegated to doing the weather on television. He must be quite popular because people recognize him enough to pelt him with garbage. We know that at some point the universe will right itself and allow him to have his day. The relationship with his sad daughter is what this film is really about, and there is a bittersweet reclamation that takes place. As with most Cage films, there will be hope, but it is at a great personal price.

That awkward movie where a sixteen year old does a better American accent than Michael Caine. That was weird, but the movie was just what I was looking for last night. A simple light drama (or dark comedy) that deals with heavy dramatic themes but doesn't explore them too much and always keeps the tone relatively easy. I wish they would make more films like this, they aren't the big money-makers or the big awards grabbers but they are always solid and easy watches. It definitely doesn't do anything majorly unique or strong, but it was still a good watch.Nicolas Cage delves into worthwhile territory again, just to keep people aware of the fact that he actually can be a good actor when he's not being the hilarious self-parody that he typically is these days. I also thought that the tone was done quite well. It's shot in a very crisp way, with an interesting score that makes the film it's own without trying to make it too "quirky" and distracting from the story and characters. The final act is a disaster where everything gets rushed and wrapped up much too quickly, but aside from that the film was an easy and harmless work that was just the kind of thing I wanted to watch.