The Squid And The Whale 2005

A film that revels in its independence - striking in its freshness, it's a tautly crafted story and has wonderful performances. It marks the first great film of writer & director Noah Baumbach (Kicking & Screaming, and co-author of Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou) - a wonderful talent in the mould of other American filmmakers such as Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, David O. Russell & more recently Miranda July.

It's a semi-autobiographical tale set in 80's New York, following the tribulations of a family after father (Daniels), a fading author, and mother (Linney), an ascending author, inform the kiddies (Kline and Eisenberg) that they're getting a divorce.

The entire cast have great fun wallowing in the depths of cynicism, selfishness and sadness. Standouts are Jeff Daniels as the sad-sack father who hides his vulnerability behind book smarts and pretentiousness, and the two child actors. Jesse Eisenberg plays the older son who sides with his father after the divorce. Awkward and precocious, he copies his dad's sayings and mannerisms in an effort to emulate. This comes to a head when he performs a well-received "original" song at a school talent show, only to be found out for plagiarism. It's Pink Floyd's 'Hey You'. Owen Kline is the younger boy who sides with his mother (Linney) and slides into a confused and rebellious state with the aid of beer.

There are tonal similarities with Wes Anderson (serving here as co-producer) films, the characters are defined by their flaws, always earnest, and seemingly despise each other until small heart breaking moments of honesty. But The Squid & The Whale is edgier. The characters are well meaning bastards basically, and rarely are people this authentic seen in movies.

By Ed, Flicks.co.nz