Director: Noah Baumbach | Rated: R | Review date: 12-Jan-2010

Baumbach’s own childhood experiences are conveyed in this quirky comedy drama dealing with the ramifications of a divorce involving two writer parents living in Brooklyn. Most of the film follows brothers Walt and Frank as they transition between shared custody and deal with choosing sides. Perhaps it’s because I can’t really relate to the main theme of the film, but I found certain aspects to be somewhat disappointing. The main things that made this film enjoyable to me and provided most of the humor were Jeff Daniels and Jesse Eisenberg. The story, while touching, felt a little sketchy. There were also a few scenes involving the younger brother which I didn’t care for and felt they did nothing to enhance the story. Overall, not a bad look into the emotions and growth experienced during a divorce but to me was a bit unsatisfying. The Squid and the Whale is a unique and honest effort nonetheless.

IMDb/trailers | Official site | DVD at Amazon

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