The Squid and the Whale (2005)

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: ««««