The Squid and the Whale

The Squid and the Whale is an extremely realistic look into marriage. It presents a stark reality that is not often captured in films by following the lives of one family as they suffer through separation and divorce. It shows the effects that separation has on children.

The movie starts with a competition: a supposedly innocent game of tennis. It continues to show fighting and unrest. The parents come to the conclusion that the marriage is not working. The wife has cheated on more than one occasion. The husband is distant and unresponsive, too caught up in his work and opinions to take any notice to his family. The sons respond in their own unique ways to the inevitable separation. The older son can not maintain a stable, healthy relationship and lies without any guilt. The younger son starts drinking and performs other distubing acts.

At one point in the movie, the older son thinks back about his childhood when talking to the school psychologist. He remembers a time when he is happy at the natural history museum with his mother. He was scared of the squid and the whale exhibit when young, so he hid his eyes while his mother described the scene. In remembering this moment, he realizes that it's finally time to face reality. He didn't want to see it before, but no one can sugar-coat the situation now. He goes to the museum and sees his parents' life for what it is.

This is an excellent film. The viewer is almost convinced he or she is watching a home movie rather than a production. I was appalled by some of the subject material covered by the film (specifically the younger son), and I think it could have been cut without affecting the reality of the movie. Overall, I give the movie 3 1/2 potatoes.
1/2