Review of Captain Fantastic (2016) by Rich M — 19 Oct 2016

Captain Fantastic has everything going for it - it starts and builds well with some great performances by the 'children'. It builds its case that the family hasn't dropped out, but rather has 'tuned in' - that the whole process has led to real knowledge and the ability for independent thinking.

Having painstakingly set all this up, the film then trips over itself, in a most unfortunate way.

Ultimately the script and direction have let us down. When the pressure is on to use knowledge and perspective and make decisions and take actions that should transcend the norm, we get instead self indulgence and rebellion that is lacking the very self awareness that has been claimed as attained.

The writers apparently don't know how to respond with an expanded consciousness - so although we are offered 'The Philosopher Kings' we get instead an entirely predictable narrow minded self indulgence.

Thankfully the stultifying effects of this script are shaken off just in time to allow the movie to end with some joy and a glimpse at the individual freedoms we were promised at the outset.

Its a shame the script has held this movie back in the way it has - the cast collectively do a great job. The kids are great and have really thrown themselves into their roles, and the 'adults' do the best they can with what they have. Viggo Mortensen is right on his game and has clearly enjoyed himself but its really through his character's actions (dictated by script) that the film undoes itself.

Ultimately the incongruity between the knowing look and the unaware actions trip this movie up.