It's the 80's in New York and Bernard - Jeff Daniels, a once successful author - now a self obsessed professor ' can't come to terms with his fading career. At the same time his wife Joan - Laura Linney has had her first novel published. Needles to say their relationship is falling apart. Caught in the fray are their two sons, 16 year old Walt - Jesse Eisenberg, who passes off Pink Floyd's Hey You as his own at a school talent show, and 12-year-old Frank - Owen Kline 'who is exploring his sexuality inappropriately. Part drama, part black comedy, director Noah Baumbach pierces the heart of family dysfunction with a film that says more than most of us are willing to admit. His use of hand held super 16 cameras put us in the midst of this family's pain whilst an insightful script allows this superb cast to shine life into their characters. And anyone who has lived with an adolescent boy will be amazed at the inspired performances of Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline - reality TV this could well be. Just like last year's Winter Solstice this is a brilliant example of independent filmmaking.
Watch 'The Squid and the Whale'
Sunday 20 November, 1:10am on SBS VICELAND / Now streaming at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2005
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Language: English
Director: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, Laura Linney
