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American Empirical Pictures
Andrew Lauren Productions
Not part of a collection.
Joint custody blows.
Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents' divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980s.
Wuchak
Feb 9, 2019 · via TMDB
***Gripping realistic account of divorce and its consequences; it’s also occasionally comical*** “The Squid and the Whale” (2005) is a frank, quirky and amusing drama about a family from Brooklyn in 1986 that encounters divorce and the ramifications thereof. The father (Jeff Daniels) is a literary professor and fading author while the wife (Laura Linney) is an emerging writer, a sweet liberal who for some reason can’t stop having affairs. The two boys are played by Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline. William Baldwin is on hand as a tennis instructor while Anna Paquin plays a college student. The story is unsurprisingly based on director/writer Noah Baumbach’s own family’s experience. I say “unsurprisingly” because the movie smacks of real life with its candid and sometimes comical approach. A few viewers didn’t ‘get’ the father, Bernard Berkman (Daniels), and have interpreted him in an uber-negative way. Yes, he’s a grotesquely competitive, pompous cheapskate, but his comical flaws are rounded out by an inherent decency. He’s clearly not the unfaithful partner and wants to keep the family together. He takes the time to spend quality time with his boys and mentor them, especially Walt (Eisenberg), who idolizes him. Speaking of the father and Walt, Eisenberg and Daniel’s characters and their performances are the highlight of this picture. Both characters are fascinating psychological studies. Eisenberg possesses the intense, intelligent charisma of James McAvoy and Brando. Is it any wonder that he went on to play The Joker in the DCEU? Winsome Halley Feiffer is on hand as his girlfriend. Speaking of females, Anna Paquin is another highlight even while her lack of modesty isn’t very becoming. Nevertheless she looks great in jeans. The movie runs 1 hour, 21 minutes and was shot in Brooklyn, New York. GRADE: A-
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Jeff Daniels
Bernard Berkman
Laura Linney
Joan Berkman
Jesse Eisenberg
Walt Berkman
Owen Kline
Frank Berkman
William Baldwin
Ivan
Halley Feiffer
Sophie Greenberg
Anna Paquin
Lili
Adam Rose
Otto
Eli Gelb
Jeffrey
Michael Santiago
Talent Show Judge
Peggy Gormley
Mrs. Greenberg
Peter Newman
Mr. Greenberg
Greta Kline
Greta Greenberg
Michael Countryman
Mr. Simic
Alexandra Daddario
Pretty Girl
Nico Baumbach
Jeb Gelber
Maryann Plunkett
Ms. Lemon
Ken Leung
School Therapist
Jo Yang
Nurse
Andrew Kaempfer
Valet (uncredited)
Britta Phillips
Talent Show Audience Member (uncredited)
Dean Wareham
Talent Show Audience Member (uncredited)
Robert D. Yeoman
Director of Photography
Amy Westcott
Costume Design
Noah Baumbach
Director
Douglas Aibel
Casting
Miranda Bailey
Executive Producer
Stacy Bissell
Location Assistant
Peter Newman
Producer
Wes Anderson
Producer
Britta Phillips
Original Music Composer
Dean Wareham
Original Music Composer
Noah Baumbach
Writer
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
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