The Weather Man (2005)

59% of critics liked it
(133 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(195,453 ratings)

A man struggles to get a grip on a life that's spinning out of control in this emotional comedy drama. Dave Spritz (Nicolas Cage) is a television weatherman on a high-profile Chicago news program. Professionally, Dave is doing just fine -- he makes great money for a job that demands little effort,… More A man struggles to get a grip on a life that's spinning out of control in this emotional comedy drama. Dave Spritz (Nicolas Cage) is a television weatherman on a high-profile Chicago news program. Professionally, Dave is doing just fine -- he makes great money for a job that demands little effort, and he has a shot at an assignment with a network morning news and chat show. But Dave's personal life leaves a lot to be desired -- his father, respected author Robert Spritzel (Michael Caine), is in failing health, he's divorced from his wife, Noreen (Hope Davis), and his relationship with his children is tenuous at best, especially his overweight daughter, Shelly (Gemmenne de la Pena). If Dave is to land his new job, he'll have to move to New York City, and with his time in Chicago running short, he dedicates himself to trying to salvage his ties with his family before it's too late, though he discovers this is even harder than he imagines. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Gore Verbinski
Written By: Steve Conrad
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 28, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Feb 21, 2006
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
In the face of a character no one cares about, can audiences be faulted for asking: Why should we?
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
The most supremely odd American film of the year.
David Denby, New Yorker
[Verbinski] and Steven Conrad hold their ground, sticking to their conviction that Dave's story should play as a belated-coming-of-age movie.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's a strange film.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A meticulously developed character piece.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
Succeeds where so few Hollywood movies even venture - it builds a believable life, adds just enough nervous laughter to relieve the realistic tension, and constantly escapes the dumbed-down expectations beaten into us by lesser films.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
The Weather Man is more of a parable than a story; it just goes on and on and on, and the only point is to endure. It's not very uplifting, but sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's sad; sometimes hopeful, and sometimes melancholy. But that's life.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Intended as director Gore Verbinski's palate cleanser before back-to-back "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels, this is an apprehensive cringe comedy of male malaise. It's also Verbinski's best to date, a small-scale challenge he should attempt more often.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
If you've never heard of a "living funeral," this film is an icy introduction.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Bleak comedy-drama for adults only.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
A look at the commonest fear nipping at the heart of Middle America. Not the war in Iraq, nor terrorism, but the breakdown of the family unit and how - and if - people can cope with it.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
Narrated by Nic Cage in a zombie-like monotone, this flick is not only gross and morose, but relentlessly depressing.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
One can imagine this film as a nasty, edgy, biting little indie. But all dressed up in slick Hollywood finery, it has nowhere to go.
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
It may look bleak, but there's still some beauty.
Matt Pais, Metromix.com
A bleak, messy midlife crisis drama as unsure of itself as a weather forecast.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Dave Spritz is a shallow creation, one that even an actor of Cage's talents cannot bring to three dimensional life. The problem gets worse: we wouldn't much care for him even if he were real.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Cage is superb in the lead, brilliantly conveying David's confusion with some well chosen blankly bewildered looks.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

The Weather Man is yet another pointless film by actor Nicholas Cage. I thought that this film was a disappointment. Michael Caine is wasted here, as I think he's truly a phenomenal actor, and he happens to be one of my favourites. Nicholas Cage, as usual shows us that he… More
The Weather Man is yet another pointless film by actor Nicholas Cage. I thought that this film was a disappointment. Michael Caine is wasted here, as I think he's truly a phenomenal actor, and he happens to be one of my favourites. Nicholas Cage, as usual shows us that he can't act, and he's a so-so actor, and The Weather Man like most films in his filmography is one of his worst. The film, I felt had a bad plot, and it just didn't cut it for me. At times, I'll admit Cage is able to make a good flick, however here he just delivers a lazy, unimpressive performance. I thought that the film was boring, and there's nothing really engaging that a viewer can enjoy. The drama felt forced, and though Michael Caine was the soul saviour of this film, not even his talents could save this film from being a dud. Maybe if the script would have had a rewrite and a different lead; it would have worked. The Weather Man was simply depressing all around, it just made me wish for the end credits, and when they final rolled, it was a relief. This is a mediocre film that could have been a good, unfortunately the film in the end doesn't cut it, and it leaves you wanting more. Skip this film, if you're looking for a good film. The Weather Man is a mediocre film that doesn't entertain and it's more depressing than funny or entertaining. This film could have been something good, but it ends up failing miserably.
Daniel P

A film that you'd think is based on a Nick Hornby book, but it's not, it's an original and fairly well-written screenplay by Steven Conrad. This is an unorthodox film for Cage, with its various voiceovers, but it takes its time and tells a story about the mundane and… More
A film that you'd think is based on a Nick Hornby book, but it's not, it's an original and fairly well-written screenplay by Steven Conrad. This is an unorthodox film for Cage, with its various voiceovers, but it takes its time and tells a story about the mundane and the absurd in day-to-day American life. As Cage's father, Michael Caine very nearly steals the show (what else is new?), but for an actor I don't much like, I actually enjoyed Nic in this movie. It's not without its flaws - particularly, the way in which each loose end is tied up in the end, which makes the movie seem to end three or four times before it does - but overall this was an affecting journey. Really liked it: small story, big heart. Worth seeing.
Bethany M

Wasn't that great if I'm honest. You end up confused at times and the story of the plot is lost. I don't even think it deserves half a star.
KJ P

The Weather Man is a very weird turn for Nicolas Cage. It's not particularly good, but it's vert odd and I would almost call it bad. It has nothing going for it, and the random words thrown into each scene piss me off!
Conner R

The Weatherman captures an amazing brand of comedy and refreshing plot. It is by far one of Nicholas Cage's best performances. The dry humor and bleak tone of the film just seems to be a great combination. Gore Verbinski has a great sense of knowing how to make a comedy actually… More
The Weatherman captures an amazing brand of comedy and refreshing plot. It is by far one of Nicholas Cage's best performances. The dry humor and bleak tone of the film just seems to be a great combination. Gore Verbinski has a great sense of knowing how to make a comedy actually mean something. It has an amazing character arc that not many movies like it share.
Anthony L

Cage and Caine are both great in this quirky comedy with a feel-good factor of 8 :o)
Jason O

Being a lover of weather, and growing up wanting to be a meteorologist, I was hyped to see this one, but then I saw that it was alright, but not as good and certainly not as funny as I thought it'd be. Actually it wasn't funny at all, but rather more realistic and thus, very… More
Being a lover of weather, and growing up wanting to be a meteorologist, I was hyped to see this one, but then I saw that it was alright, but not as good and certainly not as funny as I thought it'd be. Actually it wasn't funny at all, but rather more realistic and thus, very depressing. A weatherman that doesn't have a degree in meteorology? WTF!?
Chris W

This is the type of movie that Cage should be doing more often. Serious, well written character based dark dramedies. Don't get me wrong, the "fluff" he does is entertaining, but it gets old. Movies like this is where he really shines. It also helps that this is a… More
This is the type of movie that Cage should be doing more often. Serious, well written character based dark dramedies. Don't get me wrong, the "fluff" he does is entertaining, but it gets old. Movies like this is where he really shines. It also helps that this is a smaller movie from Verbinski, and, at the time it was released, was a nice break between Pirates movies. This is a very underrated film, and although I don't agree with that, I can see why. I really think more people should give this a chance. It's a good movie. Somewhat similar to American Beauty, and it has a nice message, even if not one of the characters is really sympathetic...kind of like life sometimes.
Lorenzo v

Dave Spritz: "I remember once imagining what my life would be like, what I'd be like. I pictured having all these qualities, strong positive qualities that people could pick up on from across the room. But as time passed, few ever became any qualities that I… More
Dave Spritz: "I remember once imagining what my life would be like, what I'd be like. I pictured having all these qualities, strong positive qualities that people could pick up on from across the room. But as time passed, few ever became any qualities that I actually had. And all the possibilities I faced and the sorts of people I could be, all of them got reduced every year to fewer and fewer. Until finally they got reduced to one, to who I am. And that's who I am, the weather man." Clever and insightful movie on the subject of growing-up in upper middle class America. Dave Spritz, a weatherman without meteorological qualifications in Chicago, is confronted with his own rage that life hasn't proceeded as he had planned. A talented man who finds it difficult to see his own talent because he compares himself with his Pulitzer winning, distant father is at a low ebb. Not to mention that "fans" delight in recognizing him on the street and throwing food at him. The other problems in his life, an angry ex-wife, a daughter bullied at school and a son just leaving rehab don't help. And Spritz would really rather just think about sex. Through finding a hobby, connecting with his dying father and standing by his kids we see the character grow and become a hero. Review I have seen a few films with the same plot (A successful person struggles to keep in touch with his family and tries to catch up with them) but I think this one stands out from the rest. David Spritz (Nicolas Cage) has it all. A decent job, fame and a huge amount of salary. But what the public doesn't know is that the weather man they all see everyday has his own personal problems. His success and his personal life collides with each other that makes his life a miserable one. He doesn't want to be recognized, he gets the pies, falafel, shakes, tacos and other fast food stuff every time and people hates him. But why would people hate a person who predicts the weather? You might ask. Well, let's just say that some people are pretty shallow. After seeing the film yesterday, I kept thinking that some famous people are much like Dave Spritz. Its all beauty on the outside but all bitter and horrid on the inside. Nicolas Cage gives an excellent performance (give him some credits Academy Awards!) and so is Michael Caine as his elegant, 18th Century-esquire, Pulitzer Prize winner father Robert Spritzel. Hope Davis as his argumentative wife gives a good portrayal too.
Megan S

I liked this movie. It's not a genre that everyone likes. It's a story about the human condition and while I was watching it, I just thought that something like this could be happening to someone right now. Families don't always get together and life doesn't work… More
I liked this movie. It's not a genre that everyone likes. It's a story about the human condition and while I was watching it, I just thought that something like this could be happening to someone right now. Families don't always get together and life doesn't work out the way you want but you take what you get, I think that's the message of this movie. There were a couple of really funny moments to lighten the mood once in a while.
Luke B

The kind of quirky subtle comedy made famous by Hal Ashby and also experienced recently in Garden State. Cage is perfect in a stripped down role as a brilliant narrator. A scene of him forgetting tartar source is so perfect in how his voice over conveys his distraction and eventual… More
The kind of quirky subtle comedy made famous by Hal Ashby and also experienced recently in Garden State. Cage is perfect in a stripped down role as a brilliant narrator. A scene of him forgetting tartar source is so perfect in how his voice over conveys his distraction and eventual forgetting of said source. He's a frustrated individual, constantly asked about the weather in a world where a job becomes the definition of somebody. It's the straight faced consistency of the entire cast that make for some absolutely side splitting moments. Hearing Michael Caine say "Camel Toe" is enough to convince me this film is a success. The film suffers from no real drive, the story arcs it develops are interesting but simply patter out. For it's length though it is a wonderful and amusing comedy with a bit more to it than just the laughs.
Aaron N

Dave Spritz: Always fast food. Fast food. Things that people would rather throw out than finish. It's easy, it tastes all right, but it doesn't really provide you any nourishment. I'm fast food. Nic Cage is great as the sad sack, loser weather man, and that's… More
Dave Spritz: Always fast food. Fast food. Things that people would rather throw out than finish. It's easy, it tastes all right, but it doesn't really provide you any nourishment. I'm fast food. Nic Cage is great as the sad sack, loser weather man, and that's really what the movie is about, and it's nice to see him try to better himself, and I care when he does. This is a fun dark comedy, with plenty of moments that ring true to life. The dialog between the characters, especially the swearing is all authentic and something that feels real for the moment. This movie shares a lot with American Beauty, although not as deep or concurrent with the same themes, it has the same attitude. As mentioned, Cage plays Dave Spirtz, a Chicago weatherman who is divorced with two kids and has a father he believes doesn't care too much for him. With a chance to get a good promotion, Dave wants to try harder at succeeding at life. This leads to a series of events involving archery, having fast food thrown at him, and cold weather. Cage is very good here. Its always neat to see his character performances in between his seemingly endless bigger Hollywood movies, and dammit if I don't like his ever changing hair styles. Michael Caine also does a great job as Cage's upfront father. Robert Spritzel: What happened to you? Dave Spritz: I got hit with a Frosty. Robert Spritzel: Why did you get hit with a Frosty? Robert Spritzel: What is a Frosty? Dave Spritz: It's a shake. From Wendy's. Robert Spritzel: Why did you get hit with a shake? Directed by Gore Verbinski, who I guess decided to take a break in between Pirate movies and do something more character based, he constructed the film with a neat sense of style, seemingly disguised as an indie flick, complete with a quirky and neat soundtrack. This is an entertaining movie, that has a quirky sense of humor, made in the style of an independent film, despite the studio quality production and works very well due to Cage's strangely human character. Dave Spritz: I mean, I'll bet no one ever threw a pie at, like Harriet Tubman, the founder of the Underground railroad. I'll bet you a million fucking dollars.
Wildaly M

I'm not a big fan of Nicholas Cage. There's something about him I don't always like. I think it's that he seems like an asshole sort-of actor. And he played one in this movie. Except that he was a weatherman. And people threw stuff at him. Which wasn't as… More
I'm not a big fan of Nicholas Cage. There's something about him I don't always like. I think it's that he seems like an asshole sort-of actor. And he played one in this movie. Except that he was a weatherman. And people threw stuff at him. Which wasn't as funny as the trailers seemed to show. I mean there were a few scenes where he's shown walking around with a bow and I actually thought that in the movie he'd use the bow to shoot an arrow at someone who'd throw him something. Such was not the case as this was more serious-tone film. One would think that a person like him would have it all (his character is on the verge of getting a very big job at the morning show "Hello America", kinda like the Today Show I suppose, except with Bryant Gumbel, who I thought would have a bigger cameo by the way), but all his efforts at bringing his family together, making his father proud of him and putting his life in order fail miserably. As he narrated at some point during the film, when his character is in front of his wife's and children's home (he doesn't live with them anymore), that someone living in that house should be happy there but that's not the case, pretty much sums up what I got from this film. As much as he tries to correct his mistakes or fix his problems or "chuck some things in this shit life", the truth is life is very unpredictable... very much like the weather itself.
Crash E

I did't get the point of it
Curtis L

I watched it, and at the end really didn't care to ever think about it again.
Film C

didnt see all of it but enjoyed it
Drew S

It's not that The Weather Man does anything wrong, per se, but I really had trouble caring about it either way. After watching it with my friend, who liked it much more than I, I tried to formulate why I wasn't particularly interested in the movie but failed. It's… More
It's not that The Weather Man does anything wrong, per se, but I really had trouble caring about it either way. After watching it with my friend, who liked it much more than I, I tried to formulate why I wasn't particularly interested in the movie but failed. It's well-written and put together smartly, but I really couldn't have cared what happened with the plot or the characters.
Lanning :

This script is very good. It's interesting to see Gore Verbinski taking a break from the PotC franchise with something this quiet. If you've read me in the past, you know my ups and downs with Nicholas Cage. This is quite a good script, but Cage is no Depp. What hurts… More
This script is very good. It's interesting to see Gore Verbinski taking a break from the PotC franchise with something this quiet. If you've read me in the past, you know my ups and downs with Nicholas Cage. This is quite a good script, but Cage is no Depp. What hurts this one, for me, is Cage himself. I feel like I'm watching a caricature instead of a character. Cage is in the middle of a cartoon, though he is the only one in a cartoon. Is that directing? Or acting? Or both? I don't know. But everything going on around Cage can't run at the appropriate intensity because Cage is not playing a real human being, just a small part of one. On the positive side, Gemmenne de la Peña is excellent. She's not acting. She's living.
Candy R

When I saw the trailer I thought it looked funny but it was just a weird movie.
xGary X

This self consciously "quirky" comedy drama has all the trappings of intelligent indie film-making; the mis en scene, pointed dialogue, everyday absurditys, awkward silences and brief outbursts of foul language. But it all seems like a jigsaw puzzle assembled by somebody who… More
This self consciously "quirky" comedy drama has all the trappings of intelligent indie film-making; the mis en scene, pointed dialogue, everyday absurditys, awkward silences and brief outbursts of foul language. But it all seems like a jigsaw puzzle assembled by somebody who doesn't really understand how the pieces fit together. Cage's character is far too self absorbed to be likeable and it feels so very forced. In fact not only did I not laugh once for the entire duration of the film, I actually found it completely charmless and dull.