The Squid and the Whale

The effect of divorce on children is hardly a new cinematic theme, but writer-director Noah Baumbach offers a fresh take in this literate (with an Oscar-nominated script), sharply-observed film that juggles tragic and comedic elements. The title refers to an exhibit in a New York museum in which the two sea giants are locked in a death struggle, a terrifying metaphor for the older of two brothers whose parents (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney) suddenly announce their intention to split, sending both sons into a state of shock and fear. Exploring the youngsters' attempts to cope—often in very destructive ways—with what's clearly a devastating situation, while illustrating how the parents deal with their new lives and provide support to their children (however ineptly), The Squid and the Whale is both hilarious and poignant, sometimes within the space of a single scene. Daniels gives one of 2005's best performances as the deeply narcissistic father oblivious to how much he's hurting the son (Jesse Eisenberg) who idolizes him (the younger son sides with the mother), and the whole film boasts great dramatic perception and honesty, while also being pointedly satiric and funny. It's that mixture of the wrenching and the comic that makes this such a rich treatment of a familiar subject. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary by director Noah Baumbach who speaks about the film over a photo montage (52 min.), an interview with Baumbach and writer-film critic Phillip Lopate at the 2005 New York Film Festival (38 min.), a 10-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for one of 2005's most highly regarded films.] (F. Swietek)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Nov. 15, 2016—Criterion, 81 min., R, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 2005's The Squid and the Whale features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a new interview with director Noah Baumbach (28 min.), a retrospective featurette (20 min.), audition tapes (20 min.), a conversation with Baumbach and composers Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips (14 min.), a 2005 behind-the-scenes featurette (10 min.), an interview with star Jeff Daniels (8 min.), trailers, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Kent Jones, as well as a 2005 interview of Baumbach by novelist Jonathan Lethem. Bottom line: a characteristically bountiful Criterion edition of a seminal indie drama.]