Review of The Squid and the Whale (2005) by Joel M — 05 Oct 2008

I did not have a whale of a time watching "The Squid and the Whale" but it has enough legs to make it a recommendable film. Writer-Director Noah Baumbach's divorce flick spotlights a family going through a separation in the mid 80's.

Here are the acting animals of Noah's Movie Ark. Jeff Daniels stars as Bernard, a scholarly articulate English professor who has angst inside him of because of his broken marriage. Laura Linney plays Joan Berkman, the wife who has been adulterous to Bernard because of her sorrow state in the marriage.

I guess this Joan of Ark rocked the boat a few times. Jesse Eisenberg plays eldest son Walt, a conflicted teenager who sides with his dad Bernard throughout their parents turmoil. Owen Kline plays the youngest son Frank, a conflicted kid who sides with his mom Joan throughout their parents turmoil.

All four performances were superb! Baumbach's semi-autobiographical screenplay was delightful, authentic, and expository. However, the message was clear , concise, and simplistic: Divorce sucks for a family.

"The Squid and The Whale" is deep enough for you to dive into! **** Good.