The Squid and the Whale
Directed by Noah Baumbach.
Multi-award winning Writer-Director Noah Baumbach has created a really likeable film in The Squid and the Whale.
Bernard Berkman is a self-claimed intellectual. He knows his way around the ‘literary world’. He is also a husband and a father — who is having trouble navigating his family through life. When his marriage breaks down, this (mostly) likeable family of four journey through what is termed ‘a really hard time’. Divorce. Bernard’s sons know who they are but are having difficulty coping with their parents’ shortcomings; or making the world stop.
Life isn’t easy. It’s painful. But it’s lovely too.
The Squid and the Whale is a funny title. Not particularly powerful. It might give the impression this movie doesn’t relate to you. That it’s too abstract, or too artistic, or childish or perhaps irrelevant to your life. Don’t be put off. The Squid and the Whale is a very insightful film. It is realistic, human and beautiful. It might make you cry, and will definitely make you laugh.
Baumbach is holding a mirror up to life, and amongst all the confusion, there is a lot of love. It is not surprising this film has won more than one award.
The Squid and the Whale stars Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline. It is set in Brooklyn, New York.
Kathyrn Reeves
