The Weather Man 1/5 reviewed by Chris
Ok, I know this is an older film, but I just saw this movie on DVD and I wanted to review it because I think it is a good example of a recent phenomenon in film that I would like to discuss.
The Weather Man
-Now available on DVD-
Chris’s review:
My review of this film is somewhat dualistic. What I mean by that is I have an opinion to express about the actual film itself, but also, this film serves as a good example of a certain type of film making that I would also like to review.
First things first though, the imdb.com plot outline for anyone that has never heard of this film: “A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.”
That sums up the basic idea rather well. One of the main problems with this film is that it is EXACTLY that plot outline. It never feels much deeper than a one line blurb about what the movie is supposed to be about.
There is a rather star heavy cast to mention:
Nic Cage as the Weather Man himself. I will tell you openly that I hate Mr. Cage, seeing him as no more than a useless “actor” that is horrible in everything he has ever done and yet for some reason is still considered big time. He does nothing in this film to change that opinion.
Michael Caine as the Weather Man’s dying father. Putting the great Michael Caine on the same screen as Nic Cage was a titanic mistake! Think Pizza Hut’s “Big New Yorker” pizza on the same plate as an authentic NYC greasy pizza pie. You see the shit for the shit when it is put next to greatness. Michael Caine IS greatness. Sadly, he can not save this film when he is given meaningless and derivative drivel to work with.
Hope Davis is the Weather Man’s estranged wife. Hope Davis is very quickly becoming a very substantial actress. Not only is she appearing in more and more notable films (such as Proof, American Splendor, About Schmidt) but she is also incredibly talented.
Now, with that cast in your mind let me move to my second point. This film is a great example of a new film making technique in Hollywood. I like to call it a “Fake Indie Movie.” Major film studios realize the draw of a quality indie film. They KNOW that there are those of us left in America that actually hold film up as an art form and look for a little more from our movie going experience then an explosion or two and a pair of naked tits. These studios also have mastered the ability to make a film that will be in the “Oscar race.” The result is movies like The Weather Man. By all counts this movie COULD be a real indie film. It has all the right characteristics in the story, almost FORMULATED characteristics as if they now have a formula for pumping out quirky, indie feeling scripts in LaLa Land. But despite its attempts to seem REAL, and deep, you see right through the bullshit and realize that it is just trying TOO hard. You never get sucked in to this world and feel like it is a believable human experience…something TRUE indie films do so well. Instead it feels like someone FAKING it and trying to make you empathize with the main character when in reality he is so two dimensional and false that you begin to root for his demise. Other than the big name cast, another clue to the true nature of the powers behind this film is the director. Most of you will know the name Gore Verbinski in relation to Pirates of the Caribbean. Not exactly a struggling first time director that has a passion to tell a story that “needs to be told.” Not exactly your Wes Anderson, or Alexander Payne type of director right? Don’t get me wrong, he is a very able director. In fact I enjoyed POTC quite a bit. The point though is that everything about this movie reeks of big film studio “A” pushing an “Oscar worthy” indie film that in all actuality is just a wolf in lamb’s clothes. They are TRYING to be indie, but failing miserably with a movie that you NEVER believe from start to finish.
Keep trying Hollywood, we see right through your feeble attempts.
Chris’s Recommendation:
See this movie if…
-You want to pretend you’re seeing a “real” movie that deals with real issues and real people but in actuality you’ve not left your safety bubble of big budget, heartless, thoughtless crap.
-You think Nicholas Cage’s performance in Con Air or Adaptation or National Treasure was one of the best male performances in film EVER!
-You thought Da Vinci Code was a well written, exciting, and provocative novel.
Don’t see this movie if…
-You want to see something with heart, or meaning.
-You hate the fact that on his tax returns Nicholas Cage actually puts “actor” in the profession box.
-It pains you to sit through films that are nothing more than a calculated attempt at: A. Making money or B. Winning an award or C. Posing as something that it is not.
The Weather Man
-Now available on DVD-
Chris’s review:
My review of this film is somewhat dualistic. What I mean by that is I have an opinion to express about the actual film itself, but also, this film serves as a good example of a certain type of film making that I would also like to review.
First things first though, the imdb.com plot outline for anyone that has never heard of this film: “A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.”
That sums up the basic idea rather well. One of the main problems with this film is that it is EXACTLY that plot outline. It never feels much deeper than a one line blurb about what the movie is supposed to be about.
There is a rather star heavy cast to mention:
Nic Cage as the Weather Man himself. I will tell you openly that I hate Mr. Cage, seeing him as no more than a useless “actor” that is horrible in everything he has ever done and yet for some reason is still considered big time. He does nothing in this film to change that opinion.
Michael Caine as the Weather Man’s dying father. Putting the great Michael Caine on the same screen as Nic Cage was a titanic mistake! Think Pizza Hut’s “Big New Yorker” pizza on the same plate as an authentic NYC greasy pizza pie. You see the shit for the shit when it is put next to greatness. Michael Caine IS greatness. Sadly, he can not save this film when he is given meaningless and derivative drivel to work with.
Hope Davis is the Weather Man’s estranged wife. Hope Davis is very quickly becoming a very substantial actress. Not only is she appearing in more and more notable films (such as Proof, American Splendor, About Schmidt) but she is also incredibly talented.
Now, with that cast in your mind let me move to my second point. This film is a great example of a new film making technique in Hollywood. I like to call it a “Fake Indie Movie.” Major film studios realize the draw of a quality indie film. They KNOW that there are those of us left in America that actually hold film up as an art form and look for a little more from our movie going experience then an explosion or two and a pair of naked tits. These studios also have mastered the ability to make a film that will be in the “Oscar race.” The result is movies like The Weather Man. By all counts this movie COULD be a real indie film. It has all the right characteristics in the story, almost FORMULATED characteristics as if they now have a formula for pumping out quirky, indie feeling scripts in LaLa Land. But despite its attempts to seem REAL, and deep, you see right through the bullshit and realize that it is just trying TOO hard. You never get sucked in to this world and feel like it is a believable human experience…something TRUE indie films do so well. Instead it feels like someone FAKING it and trying to make you empathize with the main character when in reality he is so two dimensional and false that you begin to root for his demise. Other than the big name cast, another clue to the true nature of the powers behind this film is the director. Most of you will know the name Gore Verbinski in relation to Pirates of the Caribbean. Not exactly a struggling first time director that has a passion to tell a story that “needs to be told.” Not exactly your Wes Anderson, or Alexander Payne type of director right? Don’t get me wrong, he is a very able director. In fact I enjoyed POTC quite a bit. The point though is that everything about this movie reeks of big film studio “A” pushing an “Oscar worthy” indie film that in all actuality is just a wolf in lamb’s clothes. They are TRYING to be indie, but failing miserably with a movie that you NEVER believe from start to finish.
Keep trying Hollywood, we see right through your feeble attempts.
Chris’s Recommendation:
See this movie if…
-You want to pretend you’re seeing a “real” movie that deals with real issues and real people but in actuality you’ve not left your safety bubble of big budget, heartless, thoughtless crap.
-You think Nicholas Cage’s performance in Con Air or Adaptation or National Treasure was one of the best male performances in film EVER!
-You thought Da Vinci Code was a well written, exciting, and provocative novel.
Don’t see this movie if…
-You want to see something with heart, or meaning.
-You hate the fact that on his tax returns Nicholas Cage actually puts “actor” in the profession box.
-It pains you to sit through films that are nothing more than a calculated attempt at: A. Making money or B. Winning an award or C. Posing as something that it is not.
posted by Joe Punchface at 10:17 AM
1 Comments:
I totally agree with your description of Nic, with one exception: Matchstick Men. I thought he did a great job in that film, which I really enjoyed. I don't know if it was a fluke or what, but everything else he's done sucks. He's working on "Ghost Rider" now, which... well... what can I say...
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