The Weather Man

Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski ventures into far more low-key territory in a story that cuts to the heart of so many peoples’ lives and asks just who the hell am I and what the hell am I doing with my life? I know many would say that it’s a real downer and not a lot happens, other than life, but, like the weather, life is unpredictable and often frustrating.

The film defies being slotted into a genre – it is neither a comedy or a tragedy, but the script deftly combines touching moments and the tragedy of life with moments of unexpected humour that slip effortlessly to the fore. Much use is made of the voice-over narration which unobtrusively enhances our understanding of Dave as he mulls over the endless thoughts that reflect his serious lack of self esteem.

In many ways Dave is the everyman tragi-comic hero. He tries so hard for his family, especially to be a good father to his morose 12 year old daughter and to go in to bat for Mike when trouble strikes. When he does stupid things, like slapping Noreen’s new man, we feel for him rather than condemn him. This is the skill that Cage brings to the role – he is so versatile and it’s a pleasure seeing him in this type of role, rather than the action hero he is often cast as. Cage gives the humorous moments a droll dry feel, but not without us sensing his ever-present underlying angst.

Legendary screen presence Michael Caine is the perfect foil as the quietly judgmental father whose approval seems destined to always elude Dave, especially when his Dad becomes terminally ill. (There is such pathos as Dave looks at his Dad’s photo and says “Don’t die till I get it together”). Robert is the repository of homespun wisdoms such as “Easy doesn’t enter into grown-up life” and “The hard choices and the right choices are often the same thing”.  Hope Davis is strong as Noreen, and both youngsters playing the kids are credible and worthy supports.

Chicago and its weather are in many ways an extra character in the film. So much of the film’s mood is created by shots featuring ice, snow, driving rain, and a general grey and overcast atmosphere. Apparently in Chicago everyone relies heavily on the weather man and this can explain the constant unwelcome attention that Dave receives.

The film’s final resolution, if it could be called such, in the form of a reflection by Dave is something we could all take on board, and sometimes a movie that doesn’t glamorise life and just looks at the “ordinary bits” is an apt mirror for our own experience.

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