Movie Review: The Weather Man is excellent
Life's forecast calls for rain
Irena Janjic, MBA 1
Issue date: 11/21/05 Section: Art & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
"Easy doesn't enter into grown-up life." The Weather Man portrays this message vividly, reminding us that all real things worth fighting for are hard and sometimes futile. After watching this dark comedy, I was reminded what movies should be like when portraying life and all of its inherent storms. It is only in Hollywood that a magical transformation occurs, causing all of our blues to disappear and be replaced by wealth, success, and beauty. The reality is, however, that being a grown-up is not as easy-going and glamorous as Hollywood would let us think it is. As scary as that sounds, we need to face adulthood with courage and a sense of humor.
Nicolas Cage plays David Spritz (his last name in the movie was shortened from Spritzel for his TV career), a Chicago weatherman whose tragic flaw is that he doesn't value his work: the only thing in his life at which he is proficient. He is charming on-screen and gets recognized on the street, but his weather predictions are fickle and often inaccurate, which inspires his viewers to throw fast food at him with surprising frequency. The outright disrespect drives him crazy, yet he remains limp and immobile. After all, he is a lot like fast food himself; he entertains but there is no value or nutrition to his existence.
David Spritz is divorced with his children growing up alienated, confused, and in a hurry to escape their botched childhood. His overweight daughter starts smoking and his son begins socializing with a counselor who has indecent intentions. We watch Dave spend time with his kids, trying to untangle their troubled teenage lives, only to further complicate matters. David doesn't give up and continues to try. However, David's father, Robert Spritzel (superbly played by Michael Caine), is the main source of his insecurity. Robert is a brilliant Pulitzer novelist, admired by many and envied by his "inadequate" son.
As Chicago grows gloomier and colder, so does David's life. Yet, this Indie-like movie inspires hope and genuine sympathy. Gore Verbinski, a director known for his visual style ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Ring"), makes the journey similar to a poignant book coming to life through satire, humor, and beautiful imagery of Lake Michigan and the streets of Chicago. Don't walk into this movie hoping to see explosions and thrilling car chases. Walk into it expecting to see life.
Nicolas Cage plays David Spritz (his last name in the movie was shortened from Spritzel for his TV career), a Chicago weatherman whose tragic flaw is that he doesn't value his work: the only thing in his life at which he is proficient. He is charming on-screen and gets recognized on the street, but his weather predictions are fickle and often inaccurate, which inspires his viewers to throw fast food at him with surprising frequency. The outright disrespect drives him crazy, yet he remains limp and immobile. After all, he is a lot like fast food himself; he entertains but there is no value or nutrition to his existence.
David Spritz is divorced with his children growing up alienated, confused, and in a hurry to escape their botched childhood. His overweight daughter starts smoking and his son begins socializing with a counselor who has indecent intentions. We watch Dave spend time with his kids, trying to untangle their troubled teenage lives, only to further complicate matters. David doesn't give up and continues to try. However, David's father, Robert Spritzel (superbly played by Michael Caine), is the main source of his insecurity. Robert is a brilliant Pulitzer novelist, admired by many and envied by his "inadequate" son.
As Chicago grows gloomier and colder, so does David's life. Yet, this Indie-like movie inspires hope and genuine sympathy. Gore Verbinski, a director known for his visual style ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Ring"), makes the journey similar to a poignant book coming to life through satire, humor, and beautiful imagery of Lake Michigan and the streets of Chicago. Don't walk into this movie hoping to see explosions and thrilling car chases. Walk into it expecting to see life.
