How is the weather used as a symbol in the film, In America?

In many films and books, the weather is symbolic of what is happening either to the characters or to their souls. The weather serves as a foreshadowing technique as well, so that viewers are clued in as to whether something good or something bad is coming their way.

One example of this in In America is the scene where it begins to pour down rain. Johnny and Sarah are upstairs making love in their apartment during a huge storm while the girls eat ice cream in the shop. Although this is a wonderful night, the rain foreshadows the difficulties that will come with the pregnancy conceived during this beautiful moment.

In the other side of the building, Mateo wrestles with himself while the rain comes down. He is struggling in his soul with grief and anger. He is dying of AIDS and realizes that his time is coming to an end. The terrible storm also represents his terrible pain.