The Squid and the Whale

Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale is a tender and painful look at the collapse of a family in early-'80s Brooklyn and the damage done to a couple's children after a divorce. The band has more in common with Juno : a movie that desperately tries to be something it's not (Oscar material) when it's really something more standard (a teen movie). ... Full Review

Formed two years ago in Twickenham , England , NATW took their name by fusing their favorite movie ("The Squid and the Whale") and its director ( Noah Baumbach ). In the latter vein we've also got Noah and the Whale, a new British band who employ wide-eyed vocals and seemingly yearning music to say something far more nuanced and sly. ... Full Review

The Squid and The Whale is a poignant film about the family unit in dysfunctional disarray. The poignancy of the film is heightened by outstanding performances by both youngsters. ... Full Review

The Squid and The Whale is a poignant film about the family unit in dysfunctional disarray. The film is not easy to approach: for one thing, none of the characters are especially likeable, not even young Frank (Owen Kline), who comes the closest. ... Full Review

Writer/Director Noah Baumbach managed to create an astounding film....Although the film is aesthetically stimulating the true driving force is not the visual aspect, but the content of the screenplay.....The characters were adequately developed, deeply refined, and eerily believable.....The Squid and the Whale is a genuine account of family woe that effectively chronicles the struggles of divorce and the effects it has upon children and adolescents.....Yet as ingenious as the written page may be, the crowni ... Full Review

Set in the '80s, the screenplay is exceptional....Linney and Eisenberg give solid performances too....In a role that requires maturity and skill, Kline doesn't falter once.....Jeff Daniels gives one of the best performances of his career as a man drowning but too proud to save himself..... ... Full Review

It's an ugly film, taking its visual queues from Margot's character. ... Full Review

The top-notch script is what most will be raving about.....This powerful true life story about a dysfunctional family has some engaging moments....If it wasn't for the truly convincing performances from no particular actor/actress, I would've found this a vulgar and unwatchable movie experience.....It received an Oscar nod for it's remarkable script.... ... Full Review

The top-notch script is what most will be raving about.....This powerful true life story about a dysfunctional family has some engaging moments....If it wasn't for the truly convincing performances from no particular actor/actress, I would've found this a vulgar and unwatchable movie experience.....It received an Oscar nod for it's remarkable script.... ... Full Review

The less-experienced Eisenberg (who was so wonderful in Noah Baumbach's "The Squid and the Whale") doesn't fare as well, having been saddled with the thankless role of millstone. Black comedy becomes funnier as the action becomes darker and more perilous, but "The Hunting Party ... Full Review