The Squid and The Whale

Don't be turned off by a title that sounds like a direct-to-Wal-Mart kiddie DVD—this one is hardly for the tykes. The Squid and The Whale—written and directed by The Life Aquatic's Noah Baumbach—is a surprisingly funny, but biting, look at how divorce affects a once content family of academics. Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney star as highly intellectual authors whose idea of a fun evening is re-reading War And Peace. When their personal and professional competition comes to a head, they decide to separate, breaking up the only home their two sons have ever known. Uniquely told from the boys' traumatized point of view (Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline), Whale gains it's power using caustic humor in graphic dialogue to contrast with the depressing reality of a family torn apart. By focusing on the youngest family members in the middle of the divorce, this short, but fast-paced, look at a private suburban nightmare succeeds where much higher profile films have failed. Riding a performance by Daniels that ought to be remembered come awards time, The Squid and The Whale is honest, unflinching, and unforgettable—just like a day in divorce court!