This is an odd little film. Though fronted by a huge Hollywood star and produced by a major studio, "Weather Man" has an "indie" feel to it. Nicolas Cage carries David Spritz with a toned-down, unimpassioned stride. This keeps the film on the slow side, especially at the outset. Coupled with major family problems and a lackluster career, nothing shines for Spritz. As for the audience, they'll have to settle for the dark humor and occasion flying fast food hit.
The film picks up subtly as we root for this faulted fellow, this well-intentioned jerk. Root for him to please his father, rescue his kids, even win his ex-wife back despite his acute misbehavior. Something about "tarter sauce." He's so out of touch with himself and his abusive, uncooperative behavior that he thinks his divorce was the result of a condiment. "If only I'd remembered the tarter sauce."
This just might be a great film for people out of touch with how their negative behaviors effect those they love. Unfortunately, if that were you, you probably wouldn't know it. You'd think you were fine, and just keep blaming the tarter sauce. Is there one object, one event, one sentence, you blame for a messed up relationship? Well, maybe it is you then.
It's an oddly comedic, yet personal introspective look into some real problems, real people have to deal with. It may prove good therapy. As for the ever so subtle (rather inconclusive) climax, I had mixed feelings. Though, as an archer myself, I appreciated the inclusion of the cathartic element of archery. The film never hammers home the full potential there, well then again, this is the first step perhaps. The very beginnings of an American human enlightenment -- moving from unimpassioned to impassioned.
Michael Caine says, "It's one of those movies that's not a comedy, a drama or a tragedy -- it's all those things, because that's what real life is."
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