Review of The Squid and the Whale (2005) by Dan S — 22 Sep 2009

An original, well-written story concerning divorce and its effects on a family. Instead of going the super dramatic route that has been used before, Baumbach chooses a breezier, comedic one that hits all the right notes (up until the very end, which feels a tad "too Hollywood".

Jeff Daniels, one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, is superb, and young Eisenberg matches him yard for yard. What's cool about this movie is that the family all talk to each other like they're friends, it's a dysfunctional, broken up family that is fearless and honest with each other, which sadly ends up costing them a lot in the end.