Opinion: ‘Weather Man’ explores male mid-life crisis

While the title character in “The Weather Man,” David Spritz, is not on the same plane as Oedipus, Antigone or Medea, he does, nonetheless, fit the mold.

Gore Verbinski’s new film stars Nicolas Cage as Spritz. No other actor could have realized this role to the perfection Cage attains. There is always something tragic about the characters he plays. From Ronny Cammareri in “Moonstruck” to Ben Sanderson in “Leaving Las Vegas,” Cage’s characters always seem to have toil and trouble seething just below the surface.

Weatherman David Spritz is no exception.

The weatherman is becoming more of a mainstay character in Hollywood lately. Bill Murray was one in “Groundhog Day” and Steve Carrell’s hopelessly stupid character in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” nearly stole the show. Spritz isn’t as overtly funny as either of those two weathermen, but he does provide a fair amount of laughs. The humor in this character is born of pain. He’s indeed a modern tragic figure.

Spritz lives and works in Chicago. He’s split with his wife but spends much of the film trying to convince her a reconciliation is a good idea. He has two troubled kids and his father, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, has trouble understanding just exactly what David does. “You’re not even a meteorologist, David, you simply read the weather,” his dad (played deftly by Michael Caine) tells him.

Oh, and one more thing about Spritz: People throw food at him when he’s walking down the street. Big Gulps, soft-shell tacos, fast food apple pies – they have all been hurled at the weatherman.

Spritz’s oldest child, Mike, has recently been released from drug rehab, and his daughter Shelly suffers from low self-esteem. She’s a husky little girl, and it’s obvious that the ballet classes she attends aren’t really helping her self-image very much. David’s father suggests they find another activity, and she decides on archery. She gives up after one lesson, but David pursues the sport on his own, trying to find some degree of release and diversion.

The one ray of hope in David’s life is the fact that the nationally broadcast news show, “Hello America with Bryant Gumbel” is looking for a new weatherman. David has thrown his fast-food-stained hat into the ring and is one of the final three candidates for the job. Should he be hired, he doesn’t feel right about the prospect of leaving his kids in Chicago when he moves to New York. He makes another attempt at reconnecting with his ex-wife. She, on the other hand, finally levels with David: She’s getting married to someone else.

The other shoe drops when David’s dad learns he has lymphoma and only a few months to live. In an effort toward dignity, the family decides to have a “living funeral,” a testimonial dinner for David’s dad. David has an eloquent heartfelt speech prepared, but the power goes out after he utters his opening line, “When I think of my father, I think of Bob Seger’s ‘Like a Rock’…”

It’s another funny moment that lends to the tragic nature of the character.

On the surface, “The Weather Man” may seem like a “male mid-life crisis” story. I get the feeling, though, that this character was in crisis long before hitting mid-life.

Eventually, David is hired at “Hello America” and moves to New York, sans family.

It’s not really a traditional happy ending. David’s life is still in disarray, but at least no one throws food at him anymore.

Meanwhile, at The Moxie

The Moxie is playing a film that students of standup comedy having been waiting to see for months. “The Aristocrats” is not for those easily offended by foul language. It’s a documentary featuring close to 100 of today’s funniest people discussing, analyzing and telling a really filthy joke that is legendary in comedic circles. The joke – which was born in the days of vaudeville – is known as “The Aristocrats” and that simple phrase is the punch line. But it’s not the punch line that’s funny. The set up is where the humor is to be found – if you can tolerate the language. Every comedian in the film adds his own twists and embellishments to the set-up.

Obscene? Without a doubt. Hilarious? An unqualified “Yes.” It’s also interesting to watch comedians working on their craft. It’s like being backstage listening to musicians warm up. They play licks they love, not necessarily the ones that are in the show.

I only wish Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor could have been included.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.