The Weather Man (2005)

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

I got this film second hand in a charity shop and thought I'd give it a go. A comedy to brighten your day sounded great. Sat down to watch it with my partner and a friend; part way through my friend turned and asked "Is it funny yet?".An hour in to the film we'd laughed once. Just once. On top of that it was deeply depressing, full of unlovable characters and Michael Caine doing an American accent so awful only Jason Statham has done worse.The marriage was horrible, Gil Bellows' character was foul and you knew almost immediately what was going to happen with him and the son; Cage's character is tragic; his daughter is sad and the camel toe jokes horribly misplaced (I wasn't offended, just appalled); the name calling between Cage and his wife's lover school ground stuff and pathetic.So we switched it off and watched Naked Gun to cheer us up.If this is comedy I'd never want to see a funny film again.Just dreadful. Unbelievably awful. Avoid.

This is one depressing film but I mean it in a good way. It's a good movie about character values and one's definition of meaning of life. That is why I find this movie sort of depressing. But, I really liked the film because it is different than most films released today.This is about one Chicago weatherman who is basically having a mid-life crisis dealing with a separation from his wife and children, the disappointment of his terminally-ill father, and fast food getting thrown at him almost daily.Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine put up strong performances in this movie. I kind of thought Cage is a dweeb here at times and needed a good punch in the face. Caine really came through with a powerful performance.Overall, this is a interesting film that reflects on what today's society here in America is like today. I rate this film 8/10.