WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW
First, the Recap:
There’s a very well-known song by the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn, “Couldn’t Stand The Weather”, that might echo just how we feel when plans get upended by this precise, daily, naturally occurring event. This may have not been the total gist of the song, but the sentiment rings true that we so often wish we had direct control over the elements so as to garner only the BEST it can offer and we can avoid the displeasure of, especially, ruined outdoor activities. However, what would happen if we COULD actually have this control all to ourselves?
Local weatherman Barry (Beau Roberts) is on a definitively bad streak. With his forecasts growing more and more inaccurate to the disconcert of the higher-ups at channel he works for, it would appear to be dark clouds ahead. But, when at his favorite watering hole post-work pondering the end of his career, Barry gets sent to a fortune teller named Greta (Catherine Collier) to alter his future. Will it turn out to be clearing skies or stormy seas ahead for Barry and his new love interest Angie (Angela Katherine Baker)?
Next, my Mind:
The quest for acceptance and becoming “known” for our own gains clashes with the reality of what the price paid for this mentality truly is plus the compelling matters of a yearning heart desiring REAL love thanks to the new 10-minute short film from writer/director Kaylin Allshouse alongside producers Cyrus Richardson, Oajah Ellis, and Patrick Phillips. It consistently confounds me as a critic that I feel totally justified to make such blatantly sweeping statements about a film that spans such an abbreviated runtime. Yet, as I have conveyed a myriad of times over the years covering indie cinema, it IS the beauty of the short film medium to have the capability of delivering wholly entertaining but also socially relevant messages quickly, concisely, and with full impact IF we as the viewer are willing to look beyond the surface and into the core of what’s being given for us to take in.
Yes, this film is indeed a totally fun, absorbing, uncomplicated, whimsical fantasy piece about a wonderfully offbeat scenario that makes you laugh, feel good, and come away completely satisfied. However, there’s a deeper dramatic layer to be had here as well. The narrative that follows a local news channel weatherman in a now-constant rough patch with his forecasts that threatens to take away his career and the rather unorthodox direction he’s given to correct it undeniably carries with it lessons in both truths and consequences when it comes to us as human beings, our longings to be successful, what we’re willing to do to get there, but then what costs might end up encountered when we believe we’ve “made it”. This critic feels it’s thanks to the smart writing here that the essence of what we as people see AS “success” can sometimes get overshadowed by it only being for OUR benefit rather than seeing how it might affect others along the way.
Additionally, even when what we’re achieving IS actually beneficial to those around us, making them happy, hence gaining us our “hero” or “legend” status, the film doesn’t shy away from then exploring the flip side to things when due TO our triumphs, other opportunities arise that may SEEM to be the next level of our “fame”, but to take them on would equal sacrificing something far more valuable–who we REALLY are and WANT to be. Once the outside forces then push against us, insisting that we TAKE the “required” next step to glory, it is that point of choice that gets very keenly illustrated here, doing so with both comedic and credibly, perhaps quietly, profound means, all leading to the film’s third act that becomes a deft portrait of self-awakening and what it is to make a pivotal decision for our betterment and genuine dreams, even if it means having to do a little purposefully orchestrated (and, honestly, quite hilarious in its ramifications) self-sabotage to discover the happiness we’ve always wished and strived for.
Roberts is utterly believable and a magnificently relatable picture of witty and dramatic charm though his role here as Barry, an affable weatherman for a local news station whose track record for well over a month now has been nothing but disaster when predicting the weather. With pressure from the station’s management to take some early retirement, the agitation Barry experiences gets an initial reprieve when he’s sent to a fortune teller that prompts him, DARES him, to change his stars. With a newfound and quite enthusiatically energized second chance and huge success, Barry soon realizes that another more amorous pursuit might end up paying the price for what he believed opportunity meant for him, forcing him to assess and choose what’s more important. There’s more emotional volatility in play than might be apparent on the surface, given the character’s plight, and Roberts beautifully navigates the character through it with poise and engaging personality that really brings it all to life for the viewer.
Primary supporting roles arrive, first from Angela Katherine Baker as Angie, the OTHER focus of Barry’s existence who’s been attempting to gain his attention as it was, but seemed thwarted by his more all-consuming chase for personal self-glory, all of which will get a radical and endearing alteration in direction thanks to her patience and un-forceful but veritable voice of reason. Jen Ryan plays Liz, Barry’s beleaguered boss at the station who is at first the voice of his career’s demise, but then turns into the voice of further opportunity as his fortunes get transformed–but is it really for the better? Catherine Collier is Greta, the fortune teller Barry is sent to who utilizes her enigmatic skills to make what he seeks a reality, thought whether for good or ill remains to be seen. G’Von Johnson plays Charlie, the local bartender whom Barry often confides in and who is the catalyst for the start of Barry’s journey to a renewed career success. An additional appearance is also made by Oajah Ellis.
So, in total, “The Weatherman Who Knew Too Much” is a tidy little study in our human nature, the elements that drive us, the tempests we face, the winds of change that steer us through our decisions, and the blue skies that can come about when we step back and acknowledge what being a success and having a sunny life is indisputably about. May we ALL take the time to look at who and where we are, ideally to ensure that the radar of our life’s path guides us right with a much more, grounded, realistic prediction of the outcome to finally be what we’ve dreamed it would be.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
