The Squid and the Whale (2005)

	Directed by: Noah Baumbach	COUNTRY USA GENRE Drama/Comedy NORWEGIAN TITLE The Squid and the Whale RUNNING TIME 81 minutes
	Produced by: Wes Anderson Charlie Corwin Clara Markowicz Peter Newman
	Written by: Noah Baumbach

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Bernard Berkman	Jeff Daniels	½
Joan Berkman	Laura Linney	½
Walt Berkman	Jesse Eisenberg
Frank Berkman	Owen Kline	½
Ivan	William Baldwin	½
Lili	Anna Paquin	½

Review

Noah Baumbach demonstrates that he can write and convey characters of exceptional complexity in the amusing and thought-provoking The Squid and the Whale – a film about divorce and male puberty. The music combined with the humour in Baumbach's script breathes life into a dense and aching depiction of clearly personal origin. The film is to the point in its portrayal of the lethargic nature of a marriage approaching its end, with the kids being seemingly the only common ground the two adults have as living beings, and the subsequent distress and hardships of the boys are brilliantly explored by the director and the two young actors. Owen Kline is a real gem – I suspect he can grow up to become a more accomplished drama actor than any of his parents, and Jesse Eisenberg's character will be recognisable for many teenagers from broken homes.

At present, Baumbach's talent as a filmmaker is more as an evoker of memories, emotions and reflection than as a storyteller. In the end, The Squid and the Whale lacks a little focus and force. Even if the divorce as such is well portrayed, I suspect both Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney would have wanted to do more with their characters. There is an abruptness to the way the director concludes the storylines and character relations, making The Squid and the Whale a somewhat bumpy and curt, yet utterly fascinating picture.