The Squid and the Whale Movie Review 2005

Writer-director Baumbach's semiautobiographical tale of two adolescent brothers struggling to cope with their self-centered parents' divorce. Set in Brooklyn in 1986, Walt (Eisenberg) and Frank (Kline) are the progeny of pompous writer Bernard (Daniels), whose career is faltering, and unfaithful writer Joan (Linney), whose career is on the rise. The title refers to a popular exhibit at the Natural History Museum and its significance gradually becomes clear. Expert acting by all concerned; newcomer Kline is the son of actors Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on DVD
Running time 88 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Comedy Drama, Divorce, New York, New York, Period Piece: 1980s, Coming of Age, Writers, Tennis

Screenplay

Noah Baumbach

Cast

Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, Anna Paquin, William Baldwin, Halley Feiffer, David Benger

Cinematography

Robert Yeoman

Director

Noah Baumbach

Music

Britta Phillips, Dean Wareham

Other

Allan Byer, Tim Streeto, Amy Westcott, Anne Ross

Producer

Wes Anderson, Peter Newman, Clara Markowicz, American Empirical Pictures, Peter Newman-Interal

Awards

L.A. Film Critics 2005: Screenplay; Natl. Bd. of Review 2005: Screenplay; N.Y. Film Critics 2005: Screenplay; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 2005: Screenplay.