The Squid and the Whale (9/10) Revisited

Life isn't perfect and marriage is in no better shape. People fall in and out of love. Communication doesn't always work. Sometimes when something is about to die there is no way to save it. It's morbid but everything can't be flowers and sunshine all the time. "The Squid and the Whale" is the story two parents (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney played with sneer and sincerity) in a failing marriage and soon get a divorce. It gets complicated when their two kids (Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline showing great talent) act out. The film works because it's painfully true. Director Noah Baumbach based much of the story off his childhood and what his parents went through, it's a first hand account. There are scenes that seem more like it's capturing life then just making a movie. A scene just before the divorce, the parents are fighting downstairs worse than usual. Jesse Eisenberg's character wanders out of his room and lays down at the top of the stair case, just to listen. I feel that scene is so emotional in itself when it's only about five seconds long (it's something I might do). The film just works. It's well acted, paced greatly and has depth. It's a powerful film with a lot of merit.

9/10
Recommendation: A bit dry and depressing, but it's great. I'd never say not watch it, it's ending is something to cherish.