This dark comedy on the plight of modern success is gutsy enough to follow a main character who has no clue how to attain his goals.
David Spritz (Nicolas Cage, MATCHSTICK MEN) is a well-known weather man on the local news in Chicago. His father Robert (Michael Caine, QUILLS) is a Pulitzer Prize winning author. The shadow David lives under is huge. David is estranged from his wife Noreen (Hope Davis, AMERICAN SPLENDOR), who he has a very hostel relationship with. His young daughter Shelly (Gemmenne de la Pena, ERIN BROCKOVICH) is quite over-weight and is being called names at school because of it. His son Mike (Nicholas Hoult, ABOUT A BOY) is just getting out of rehab and is developing an eerie relationship with his older counselor Don (TV’s ALLY MCBEAL). David’s attitude toward Noreen’s new boyfriend Russ (Michael Rispoli, TWO FAMILY HOUSE) doesn’t help his efforts to clean up his act either.
When doctors inform Robert that he has only a short time to live, David sets out to fix his messed up life and make his dad proud. This includes ill-fated attempts to bond with his kids, futile attempts to rekindle his failed marriage and an interview as the weather man for a national morning show.
David is quite pathetic. This is highlighted with the occasional incidences when he is hit with fast food thrown at him from moving cars. David is successful and wealthy, but for him it is empty because he doesn’t have his family or respect. His attempts to fix his life are really just band-aides and until he can look into himself for the answers, he is floundering.
It takes guts and the skills of a good filmmaker like Gore Verbinski (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) to be able to build a film around a weaselly character and still make us care about him. I guess what makes the film work is that it’s the thought that counts. David really does want to fix his life, but he doesn’t know how to do it. The film is about David finding himself, which will give him the tools to eventually fix his life.
The film slyly satirizes an American culture where people can gain fame and fortune with little effort and zero skills. I really liked Cage’s performance. He’s subtle and creates an original character while avoiding his tendency to go over the top. It’s one of his best. Caine is delightful as is the norm. On a screenplay level, the visual metaphors are inspiring. As a quirky comment on current American society, this film hits a bull’s eye.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
