In regards to the previous reviewer, I think Squid and The Whale is a great movie, that stands apart from typical dysfunctional families by not being over the top ridiculous and being very realistic overall. Jeff Daniels is great as the...
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In regards to the previous reviewer, I think Squid and The Whale is a great movie, that stands apart from typical dysfunctional families by not being over the top ridiculous and being very realistic overall. Jeff Daniels is great as the obnoxiously pretentious father, as is Jesse Eissenberg as his son, who worships him and soon follows his elitist literary mindset. Laura Linney is very good, but it's not her best role. Kevin Kline's son, Owen steals the show with the most sensationalist role, as the beer drinking, library jerking, "Assman!" yelling younger brother. Besides the divorce, the scenes with Jesse Eissenberg and his girlfriend are the most memorable and heartbreaking, as his image conscious ways and pretentiousness tears a part a fine relationship. Sample line, while making out for the first time and not quite succeeding ("Maybe if you didn't have so many freckles on your face.") It's very re-watchable, I watch it almost every time it's on Encore or Starz. I'm hyped for director Noah Baumbach's new movie Margot at The Wedding as well.