The Squid and the Whale - ****

The Squid and the Whale is a subtle and realistic account of a family's struggles through a divorce in the mid-80s. The story is told through the perspectives of the divorcing couple's two boys, one in the throws of teenage angst and the other at the beginning of puberty and self exploration. The film takes you from the eldest son's hero worship of his father to the realization that both of his parents are just as flawed as he is. Eventually he faces this reality and his fears, which is perfectly symbolized in the end of the film by the squid and the whale. Which I'll admit, before seeing the film I thought it was just as stupid a title for a movie as you probably do, but after seeing it - it's actually quite perfect.

Jeff Daniels excels as the narcissistic professor whose greatest achievements are all behind him. Laura Linney delivers another absolutely flawless performance, I'm starting to think she is Hollywood's most overlooked actress. William Baldwin shows up as a funny, but believable tennis pro. Anna Paquin continues to underutilize her talents by showing up in another small role as a sexual explicit lit student and lust object, with just enough screen time to make us wish she was getting leads instead of just making X-men movies. Both the eldest son (Jesse Eisenberg) and the young son (Owen Kline) are perfectly cast and manage both sincerity and nuance.

Overall, the thing that sets this movie apart is it's simplicity and honesty. Nothing in the film seems contrived or even untrue. It's written and directed by Noah Baumbach who based the story on his childhood experiences, and while I'm sure some of it is fictitious or at least exaggerated, the film itself feels like you are watching someone's real life unfold. It's well acted, well told and thoroughly enjoyable.