The Weather Outside (2012)

Directed by Jason Freeman
Starring Michael J. Prosser and Erin McGarry

Runtime 89min. - Not Yet Rated

3.5 Stars (out of 4)

"The Weather Outside" has its world premiere on Oct. 19th at the Eugene International Film Festival.

For more dates and times "Like" the official Facebook page and keep checking the Official Website.

Dir. Jason Freeman did a Q&A with me about the film which you can find at this link.

The prologue of "The Weather Outside" sees a man named Max (Prosser) stumble out of a bar yelling "I don't care". Following max is a stern looking man with a fedora who looks like he stepped out of a classic film noir. The man tells max that he has one year. One year for what? It's left unsaid. My brain is primed to form answers based on previous film experiences. In this instance my brain told me the shady character was a minion of Satan who had given Max a year of something precious in exchange for his immortal soul. That was the first of many instances where I came to a conclusion only to have it dismantled.


When Max makes it home after the bar incident, he finds that his wife and kids are gone. His house is now inhabited by a young horny couple who think he's there to rob them. The scene ends with Max sitting in a car during a rainstorm wondering what the hell has happened. In one of the more curious flash-forwards I've seen in a movie, we're transported 363 days into the future. Two days before Max's jig is up. Whatever jig that might be.

So what happened during the last year? The next time we see him he's a lonely clerk in a clothing store. How did he end up there? We're never really told. If you pay really close attention though, there may be some clues hiding in plain sight. After watching the beginning and the ending of the film two or three times, I've came to the conclusion that most of the characters are on the same journey as Max, only they are all at different points on that journey. If you want to know what has happened to him or what could happen to him, just look at the characters that surround him.

A beautiful woman (McGarry) walks into Max's clothing shop. She's looking through the racks but isn't dressed as though she could possibly afford to pay for them. Max offers her assistance which she declines. He watches out the window as she walks away down the sidewalk. When he closes the shop for the night he finds her on the side of the street and gives her a $20 bill. At first, this may seem like a simple friendly gesture, but this is where you have to pay close attention. In the opening scene, Fedora-man gives max a $20 bill after warning him that he only has a year. The two bills are even folded in a similar fashion. It's not a certainty, but I would speculate that the similarity holds significance to the story.

He's no Clarence.

The plot of the film undeniably takes some cues from "It's a Wonderful Life", but it doesn't share the latter's unshakeable faith in the good of humanity. Fedora-man is sure as hell no Clarence. I was never sure if Max could be convinced to return to his old life. We're forced to consider that maybe Max's loved ones really would be better if he had never lived. The viewer may feel compelled to consider the same thing about themselves. I'm not saying the film left me suicidal, but I was pulled into the story enough to join Max in teetering on the edge of darkness.

Stylistically the film is sort of a supernatural neo-noir. The first few frames are in black and white possibly to signify a change in the Max's reality, but it also serves as a reminder of the movie's stylistic predecessors. The plot never reveals more than necessary for a given scene and that philosophy is apparent in the camera work as well. For instance, the opening exterior shots show the front of a restaurant with the walls touching the edge of each frame. Any other buildings on the street are irrelevant to the story and thus, ignored.

This film will drive some people nuts. There are no neatly-wrapped answers to the questions it raises, which is slightly ironic given the Christmas setting. Nothing is as it seems and when you think you have solved the puzzle a new piece is presented. The craftsmanship is top notch. Nothing is left to chance. Every line of dialogue, every action, and every movement of the camera has meaning. Concentration is necessary at all times for the proper enjoyment of "The Weather Outside". I know certain movie-goers think it's sinful to exercise their brains at a theater. If you're willing, it's definitely worth the effort. I would also add that the DVD will have some real value not only because it merits multiple viewings, but because you'll discover something new each time you watch.

The Weather Outside - Teaser Trailer from Polluted Pictures on Vimeo.