Genre:
Drama
Directed
by: Noah Baumbach
Starring:
Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Running
time: 81 minutes
Bernard
Berkman is a novelist, who was once very successful, but his star is now on the
decline and, in his supreme arrogance, he is not willing to accept that he
might be the problem. Just as his wife Joan starts publishing, with great
success, their relationship fall apart beyond the point of repair. They get divorced,
and, stuck in the middle, are their two children, who are torn between them.
I
had seen this particular title a while back, but I came back to it in my desire
to see and review everything Wes Anderson was involved in. In this case,
Anderson served as producer in support of director Noah Baumbach.
Jeff
Daniels and Laura Linney are both solid here, as usual. They have shown their
talent in the past and they do so again in The Squid and the Whale. They are
both very convincing as a couple falling apart. Daniels carries a big chunk of
that load, as the arrogance and selfishness of his character is at the basis of
the story. He went in head first without holding back, with just the right tone
as to not go over-the-top. You see a father who has alienated his younger son,
who is closer to his mother, and who might end up doing the same with the older
one.
Jesse
Eisenberg was already in his early 20’s when this film was made, but he looked
the part of teenage boy. He was very touching as a son gravitating towards his
father, his hero. He makes you feel the frustration and anger of a boy seeing
his life fall apart right before his eyes.
The
Squid and the Whale is a very touching movie. There are some tough moments, and
some sweeter funny ones. Overall, it is a very good movie, albeit short. Worth
a watch.
Rating:
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