Movie of the Month : THE WEATHERMAN (2005)

"I REMEMBER once imagining what my life would be like, what I'd be like. I pictured having all these qualities, strong positive qualities that people could pick up on from across the room. But as time passed, few ever became any qualities that I actually had. And all the possibilities I faced and the sorts of people I could be, all of them got reduced every year to fewer and fewer. Until finally they got reduced to one, to whom I am. And that's who I am, the WEATHER MAN.”

SYNOPSIS:

In Chicago, Dave Spritz (Nicolas Cage) is the weatherman of the local TV news loved and loathed by the audiences. He is successful in his career in spite of not having degree in meteorology. However, his personal life is a complete mess: he is a frustrated writer divorced from his wife Noreen but he still likes her and wishes to have her back; his sixteen year-old son Mike is in rehabilitation for using pot; his clumsy and fat daughter Shelly is constantly humiliated at school by her mates. His sick father, the famous Pulitzer Prize winner novelist, doesn't think much of his son's source of income. Dave decides to leave his passive self behind act on life to finally make something more of himself that his family will be proud of. While trying to resolve his problems and frustrations, Dave grows-up and reaches the necessary maturity to manage the complexities of life.

REVIEW:

"The Weather Man" is not for all tastes and audiences, but those with an appreciation for subtle black humor may find themselves drawn to its themes. It provides a subdued portrait of a man who seems unable to take control of the elements of his life and, thus, finds his world splintering apart in many different directions. Part of the problem comes from the feeling of inadequacy instilled in him by his father, an inadequacy that prevents Dave from assuming the responsibilities that an adult must in order to fulfill his role as a productive member of society. For Dave is the first to admit that his job is a mere security and that he's made a genuine mess of his marriage and family life through his lack of focus and tendency towards fear and inaction. The subplots of his career, his father's illness, Camel Toe, and the counselor are all well done stories in themselves and only strengthen the main story.

In real life, progress in one's personal life is generally made in baby steps. Usually, people don't undergo a drastic transformation over the course of several months. David attempts to improve his standing in life, at times failing entirely, at times succeeding in small doses. The results of these attempts range from very funny to downright saddening, and this helps lend the film an air of realism. This is a complicated character study about a man coming to grips with the fact that he's failed to meet any of the goals he set for himself in life, despite attaining a social standing that many people are envious of. There aren't any easy answers or life altering epiphanies; self-improvement is a long, gradual task that will probably never be completely fulfilled, and "The Weather Man" reflects this reality.

The film explores aging, loneliness, longing, emotional crises, and self doubt. There's some rather funny humor on display, and this is mixed with an overall pessimistic mindset. It's almost like a mixture of Wes Anderson's subtlety with Coen Brothers humor in a purely unhopeful way. From mainstream cinema; especially American mainstream cinema, you don't expect to see films with such a depressing viewpoint on life.There are a lot of disappointments, regrets and unhappiness in the characters but the film is not depressing or hopeless thanks to the finesse and artistry of Cage's performance and to his very unique low key dry humor with which he provides the insights in his character's inner world. Verbinski's film states that, like the weather, life cannot be predicted - and no matter what hopes and dreams you have, they're likely to be smashed by the time it comes to realizing them.

Gore Verbinski's film is a rich portrait of a tormented man whose life has come to a complete stop. Steve Conrad's screen play examines Dave's life at the worst moment of his life. The director and the writer have created a most unusual film. Nicholas Cage inhabits the strange role of David finding a way to make this loser with a short temper someone about whom we care. It is a tough assignment but Cage meets it on every level. Michael Caine provides some of the more eloquent moments in the film: his words of wisdom and view of life are the only grounded elements of the story. Likewise Hope Davis is fine as are the roles of the children as sensitively played by de la Peña and Hoult. One thing that stays with the viewer after the film is over is the great musical score by Hans Zimmer. Also, the winter look of Chicago with all its black and gray tones is enhanced by excellent camera work.

The Weather Man" is a serious film by a director that has distinguished himself in lighter fare. The movie might be a bit too murky for the average moviegoers, but its creative ingenuity does make it a precise weather report for many hardcore movie buffs.

Title :The Weatherman

Director: Gore Verbinski

Cast :Nicholas Cage ,Michael Caine ,Hope Davis

Rated R for Sexuality

Country :USA

Language :English

DVD Features:
behind the scenes
photo gallery

Trailer Link :www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_KgbI0PKY

Torrent File Name :The Weatherman[2005]DvDrip[Eng] avi