“Weather Girl” is a frothy romantic comedy about a “sassy weather girl” who has an on-air meltdown. On the Seattle morning TV show, she reveals that the show’s anchor has cheated on her. Tricia O’Kelley (“Gilmore Girls”) plays weather girl Sylvia Miller and after her career suicide finds herself with no job, no boyfriend, and no apartment. With no savings, she is forced to move in with her younger brother Walt, played by Ryan Devlin. He and his best friend, Byron (Patrick J. Adams) suck as a support team and hinder her return to sanity. Attempting to cope at age 35, she relies on her gal-buddies (Kaitlin Olson & Alex Kapp Horner) for advice. They set her up with an accountant (Jon Cryer) who on their first date has their life together planned out down to the number and sex of their children.
After a series of job interviews, which laughingly focus on her meltdown, she has to take a job as a waitress working for restaurant owner J.D played Jane Lynch. Driven into despair she begins an unlikely romance with a younger man, her brother’s best friend. They promise each other it’s nothing more than a physical relationship, yet it slowly grows into a repressed love affair.
While predictable and lighthearted, “Weather Girl” delivers with a fast-moving scenario that is always fun and entertaining. What makes it likeable is a cast that polarizes the story and gives it emotional definition. Mark Harman (“NCIS”) plays the sleazy lecherous anchor whose persuasive powers seem as empty as his teleprompter readings. It’s a cardboard character, but well-done cardboard character and even in his comeuppance scene he remains callous and despicable as he attempts to rewrite the truth. Tricia O’Kelley is the energy force in this film. When her world comes tumbling down, she plays her role with spunk rather than seeking piety. She could have been much stronger were it not for her facial gyrations, as it made it difficult to grip what’s going on inside.
The brother and his friend provide a disruptive counterpoint to the Sylvia’s aims, but they are too much alike in looks and attitude to make a strong impact as individuals. The insightful cameos by Jane Lynch, (“Two & a Half Men”) Kaitlin Olson (“Two & a Half Men”) and Alex Kapp Horner (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”) bring the women’s viewpoint to the story in a comic and ironic way. They tell us that marriage and a job, any job, any man is more important than a loving relationship. Jon Cryer’s (“Two & a Half Men”) brilliant portrayal of the anal-thinking accountant is the catalyst that turns Sylvia away from any serious relationship to one that is purely physical. Enrico Colantoni cleverly plays the show’s TV director, one who knows the potential of confrontational television. You will like his choices in choosing camera angles.
Production values are first-rate. Shot on location in Seattle and Los Angeles, the film has a beautiful sense of space, timing, and direction, a tribute to writer/director Blayne Weaver. With marquee television stars, the film should play well in theatres but its best home will likely be on the small screen where its prime demographic target audience resides.
CREDITS: “Weather Girl” stars Tricia O’Kelley, Patrick J. Adams, Ryan Devlin, Mark Harmon, Kaitlin Olson, Alex Kapp Horner, Marin Hinkle, Jon Cryer, and Jane Lynch. Written and Directed by Blayne Weaver; Produced by Secret Identity in association with Steakhaus Productions and Tricia O’Kelley; Cinematography by Brandon Trost; Edited by Abe Levy; Production Design by Michael Fitzgerald; Art Direction by Samson Kellman; Production Sound Mixer: George Flores; Costume design by Sarah Trost; Key Makeup by Keri Ann Luevano, Original Music by Andrew Hollander. Running Time: 92 minutes. Rated R. Available on DVD.