The Weather Man

Gore Verbinski's The Weather Man is set in a very wintry Chicago, where the palpably frigid atmosphere (captured in beautifully glistening tones) complements the emotional temperature of the story perfectly. David Spritz, the titular television personality played by Nicolas Cage, is a wreck—a guy whose celebrity earns him more public brickbats than compliments. In addition to his professional difficulties, Spritz is separated from his wife, his two kids are both facing serious problems, and his father (Michael Caine) is struck by a serious illness. Although Spritz's overlaid narration gloomily enumerates the indignities he suffers and his inability to contend with them, this isn't a grim drama, but rather a dark comedy about a fumbling, ludicrous guy whose misfortunes often seem self-inflicted. But Spritz's mostly ineffectual efforts to cope aren't just bleakly humorous; they're also oddly poignant and (in a few cases) somewhat heroic. The picture balances the disparate elements nicely, and though Cage dominates the screen, Caine exudes intelligence and restraint, and Hope Davis brings spirit and charm to the underwritten part of David's estranged wife. For some, The Weather Man will come across as a dour, even depressing portrait of a life of not-always-quiet desperation, but for those willing to accept a comedy in which the bitter definitely exceeds the sweet, there's much to admire and enjoy here. Recommended. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include five featurettes: “Relative Humidity: The Characters” (20 min.), “Trade Winds: The Collaboration” (16 min.), “Extended Outlook: The Script” (10 min.), “Atmospheric Pressure: The Style and Palette” (10 min.), “Forecast: Becoming a Weather Man” (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a solid film.] (F. Swietek)