 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Weather Man
- Review Date: February 19, 2006
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Bleak comedy-drama for adults only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film includes scenes showing a counselor's attempted seduction of his teenaged charge (the older man takes photos of the boy and asks him to take off his shirt). Characters use strong language (frequent use of "f--k," slang for male and female genitals), drink and smoke cigarettes (a 12-year-old girl smokes with her classmate). Flashbacks show the protagonist in sexual situations with women who are not his wife (including brief nudity). When a young girl is called a "Camel toe," the film includes an insert shots to illustrate the reference (as well as a real camel's foot, to pound home the point). The film is focused on family tensions, so many scenes show arguments and resentments. The grandfather is dying, so the film includes several scenes in the hospital. A character points an arrow at his wife's new boyfriend. Several men fight with one another, drawing blood.
What's the story?
THE WEATHER MAN focuses Chicago weather man Dave Spritz (Nicolas Cage), who sees a possible job opportunity on a NYC morning show as an opportunity to reunite with his ex-wife Noreen (Hope Davis), though she has a new boyfriend, Russ (Michael Rispoli). Dave also struggles to appease his two kids who feel abandoned by their father and act out in various ways. Son Mike hopes that his counselor will provide the support and approval he seeks, but the man has other ideas (he tries to seduce Mike, awkwardly and disturbingly). Dave also can't win over his slightly overweight daughter who has turned her insecurity into a surly front. Dave's general inability to pay attention results from his relationship with his own father (Michael Caine), who disdains him and is now dying. Unable to cope, Dave continues to look for attention from others, even though his minor celebrity also brings him grief.
Is it any good?
The Weather Man is a bleak and oddly paced drama-comedy about mid-life crisis. "People recognize me sometimes," Dave observes in his mournful voiceover. "They think they know me but they don't." The film's investigation of this phenomenon doesn't extend much beyond this moment, though it does underline the abuses Dave endures because of it.
One running gag that becomes tired after the first instance has viewers tossing fast food items at him -- shakes, French fries, little pies -- apparently out of rage that he gets the forecast wrong. "It's just wind," he says more than once, by way of explaining his inaccuracy. "It blows all over the place." The movie makes this point repeatedly, casting Dave as a buffeted sort. That he finds a sense of purpose and precision in archery -- so he walks around the city with his bow and arrows -- seems a heavy-handed metaphor.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the divorced father's misguided efforts to reunite with his family. How does Dave's own father's illness prompt him to reconcile with his wife and children? What might he do to pay more attention to what they need from him? How might Shelly's parents help her to deal more effectively with the kids' taunting at school?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Realistic
Great movie that many teens should watch, only cause its a shocker that life isnt fun and life wont turn out how you want it to.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
puzzling, disturbing at times, but ... I liked it
For the first part of this show I was puzzled by the main characters behavior. He was so stupid and out of touch with everyone and everything around him. I found him offensive, especially when he was interacting with his daughter.
The director brilliantly takes this pathetic character and some how brings him level with the audience. Which made me very uncomfortable that I could be this man.
I hated the show while I was actively involved with the Weatherman but found myself thinking about Nicholas Cages' character after words, for more than a week.
The only other show that has affected me this way was The Tenet by Roman Polanski. A brilliant movie that takes the viewer into a very dark place.
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Parent of 3 and 8 year old
January 28, 2010
AGE
Worst Movie I've EVER Seen
I was absolutely appalled while watching this movie. I coudn't believe Nicholas Cage would agree to be in such a BAD movie!!! The only reason I kept watching was because I was hoping it might get better as it went along; but no luck! It went straight in the trash can afterward!
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
this movie sucks!! its not a good movie to see.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
one of the worst
Don't waste your time, unless you like hearing the 'F' word from all characters in all scenes. This movie has no redeeming value whatsoever.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
This is the worst movie I have ever seen!
If I hear the F-word one more time... THe movie is no good the content is awful and should be worst movie this year!
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Funny but language def. not cool
Nicholas Cage says Fu-k more than 40 times, lots of sexual content including nudity, the daughter is smoking at 12, the brother almost gets raped by a creepy mentor person, the family just doenst get along at all, I would say that 16 to 17 year olds would be able to handle this movie definately nobody younger.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Gore Verbinski |
| Cast: | Hope Davis, Michael Caine, Nicolas Cage |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 28, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | February 21, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong language and sexual content |
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