The Weather Man is a 2005 dark comedy-drama directed by Gore Verbinski, starring Nicolas Cage as Dave Spritz, a well-paid Chicago weatherman who is constantly mocked by strangers who throw fast food at him. Amid a mid-life crisis, Dave feels overshadowed by his Pulitzer Prize-winning father, Robert (Michael Caine), who is dying of lymphoma, and he takes up archery to regain focus while pursuing a lucrative national TV job with Hello America. The film follows his struggles to connect with his estranged wife and troubled children, culminating in a poignant final conversation where his father advises that "nothing that has meaning is easy." Released on October 28, 2005, the movie grossed $19 million worldwide and received mixed-to-positive reviews (60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic), though audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a rare "D+" grade. The story ends with Dave moving to New York for the job, humorously noting that people no longer throw things at him—possibly because he now carries a bow.