The Squid and the Whale

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 8:18am

Has anybody seen it yet? I think it looks great, and it's been getting very good reviews.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 9:37am

I was supposed to go last night, but I was too ill to actually leave my houes. It does look like a good movie though.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 12:13pm

I really, really want to see this. I heard that Jeff Daniels is in line for his first Oscar nod. But, since it's only about 80 minutes, I'll go to a matinee (I tend to do that with short movies).

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 4:32pm

I've been meaning to go- I'll get there sometime this week - I just hate trekking to the west side to see movies.

I doubt this will be the movie to do it, but Laura Linney - one of the best living actors (and who was robbed of an Oscar last year) is WELL overdue for her AA.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 6:05pm

I saw it. It was the most creative, smart, brilliant movie of the year. It was extremely intriguing and totally lovable. And Linney was so great! I don't know why she doesnt have an Oscar yet...

But, it's definitley worth seeing. I'd probably give it an A if I were grading.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 7:41pm

It's like one of those New Yorker short stories, circa 1988 -- harrowing and totally without sentimentality or melodrama. They paint both parents as 24/7 narcissists of a very real, specific sort. They voice their concern and care for their boys as their actions continue 180 degrees away from their stated intentions. The tug of war is frightening, and so is the descent each boy takes. And it avoids one of those semi-sweet wrap-ups.

Linney is peerless, in my book, and lets herself look borderline slovenly (80s wear at its most bleak -- 60s duds from the closet, thrown together) and always slightly off kilter. She plays a sexually promiscuous woman who paradoxically never focuses on appearing "pretty," to men; a brilliant bit of character work. In the same vein, Jeff Daniels gives one of the most ego-free performances I've ever seen. He plays this man as bitter to the point of humorless, and then some. He's so self-absorbed, and therefore, so constantly needy and infuriating. His casting is brilliant, because he usually plays the stallwart type. And the boys are remarkable. See it.

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 07:41 PM

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:21pm

A real gem! Great performances all around. One of my favorites of the year.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:57am

Saw it tonight, and it is definitely the best movie I've seen in a while. Engaging, original, hilarious, fascinating, and REAL. Observant and unique script by Noah Baumbach, and beautifully acted by everyone. Four stars all around.

[Jon]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 8:26am

I hear Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates' kid is pretty good.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:13am

I hear Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates' kid is pretty good.

Owen Kline is fantastic in this movie, but I didn't know that his parents were Kline and Cates. Interesting.