The Weather Man (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Gore Verbinski

Writer (WGA):

Steve Conrad (written by)

Release Date:

28 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

In life, accuracy counts.

Plot:

A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.

Plot Keywords:

Weatherman | Cemetery | Black Comedy | Tight Pants | Funeral

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	David Spritz
Michael Caine	...	Robert Spritzel
Hope Davis	...	Noreen
Gemmenne de la Peña	...	Shelly (as Gemmenne De La Peña)
Nicholas Hoult	...	Mike
Michael Rispoli	...	Russ
Gil Bellows	...	Don
Judith McConnell	...	Lauren
Chris Marrs	...	DMV Guy
Dina Facklis	...	Andrea
DeAnna N.J. Brooks	...	Clerk (as Deanna NJ Brooks)
Sia A. Moody	...	Nurse (as Sia Moody)
Guy Van Swearingen	...	Nipper Guy
Alejandro Pina	...	Fast Food Employee
Jackson Bubala	...	Fast Food Child

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and sexual content.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | Netherlands:MG6 | Germany:6 | Australia:MA | Ireland:16 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:7 | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | Hungary:16 | Spain:18 | Canada:18A (Alberta) | Iceland:12 | Norway:11 | New Zealand:R16 | Malaysia:U (DVD) | South Korea:15 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Denmark:15 | France:U | USA:R (certificate #41144)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

While shooting the film in February, director Gore Verbinski was surprised to find that the weather in Chicago was warm, as it didn't produce any snow. The production designers had to recreate snow from scratch, as the film takes place during the winter season.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At 19:57 in the movie on the wind chill map, Sioux City should be Sioux Falls.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Dave Spritz: That was refreshing. I'm refreshed. I'm refreshing.

Movie Connections:

References "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Like a Rock

Best movie of 2005 so far; Meaningful without being weepy

Summary: A middle aged weather man with a failing family life, sick parent and dull job copes with his life and aspires to move to a national TV show.

A great movie about the modern dilemma. It is about American society and its problems seen through the life of one guy. It talks about his problems, his mortality, his moral failings, and his caring soul as well. Nicely written, great photography of Lake Michigan covered in ice. Lots of great scenes where Nicholas Cage pull off difficult performances. Many sadly comic scenes including a dream sequence with Sponge Bob that is a wonderfully surreal.

I am afraid that disapproving critics don't understand the deep irony and existential humor like a Kurt Vonnegut novel. Nothing illustrates this better than the scene where Cage's character sees the giant balloon of Sponge Bob floating by. The meaning and meaningless of life together with family and ambition together with human frailty come together wonderfully and with humor.