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The Squid and the Whale (2005)

 -  Comedy | Drama  -  3 March 2006 (Turkey)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 44,232 users   Metascore: 82/100
Reviews: 206 user | 156 critic | 37 from Metacritic.com

Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents' divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980s.

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Title: The Squid and the Whale (2005)

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 27 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Ivan
David Benger ...
Carl
...
Molly Barton ...
Graduate Student
Bo Berkman ...
Graduate Student
Matthew Kaplan ...
Graduate Student
Simon Kaplan ...
Graduate Student
Matthew Kirsch ...
Graduate Student
Daniella Markowicz ...
Graduate Student
...
Graduate Student
Ben Schrank ...
Graduate Student
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Storyline

In 1986, In Brooklyn, New York, the dysfunctional family of pseudo intellectuals composed by the university professor Bernard and the prominent writer Joan split. Bernard is a selfish, cheap and jealous decadent writer that rationalizes every attitude in his family and life and does not accept "philistines" - people that do not read books or watch movies, while the unfaithful Joan is growing as a writer and has no problems with "philistines". Their sons, the teenager Walt and the boy Frank, feel the separation and take side: Walt stays with Bernard, and Frank with Joan, and both are affected with abnormal behaviors. Frank drinks booze and smears with sperm the books in the library and a locker in the dress room of his school. The messed-up and insecure Walt uses Roger Water's song "Hey You" in a festival as if it was of his own, and breaks with his girlfriend Sophie. Meanwhile Joan has an affair with Frank's tennis teacher Ivan and Bernard with his student Lili. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

boy | writer | tennis | marriage | book | See more »

Taglines:

Joint Custody Blows.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic dialogue and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 March 2006 (Turkey)  »

Also Known As:

A Lula e a Baleia  »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$43,776 (Brazil) (14 April 2006)

Gross:

£506,477 (UK) (5 May 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

|

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Laura Linney was given the script by Eric Stoltz in 2000 while they were filming The House of Mirth. She agreed to do it immediately. See more »

Goofs

The Squid and the Whale display in the museum is in reality not brightly lit. It is a very dark display meant to simulate the inky depths of the ocean. (It probably would not show up on film as it really exists.) See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Frank Berkman: Mom and me versus you and Dad.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Indie Sex: Teens (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

"Life Depends on Love"
Written and Performed by Bert Jansch
Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Patricide with a dull knife
25 September 2005 | by (Dallas, Texas) – See all my reviews

Noah Baumbach takes a loving (oh?) stab at his parents' divorce, brought on by the hilariously immature antics of his father, and my writing professor, the ever pompous Jonathan Baumbach (Jeff Daniels).

Brooklyn College was a hotbed of activism and liberal arts when I first encountered Jonathan Baumbach (rechristened "Bernard" in the film, a sly wink at Jonathan's mentor and hero, Bernard Malamud). The arrogance and complete lack of self awareness is perfectly captured by Daniels in his over-the-top performance which, amazingly, underplays the actual father.

To call the picture patricidal is to completely miss the point; Baumbach pere is so self centered, he likely sees the film as an homage. Baumbach Sr. is a great writer; he receives good reviews in the literary journals and his books sell in the hundreds. Baumbach Jr., on the other hand, is a great filmmaker, and his movies (The Life Aquatic) are seen by millions. I'm sure the father is disappointed that the son isn't pursuing tenure at a small Ohio college.

I saw this film in a cozy college theater at the Toronto Film Festival. I half expected to run into Jonathan Baumbach, in his leather patched tweed jacket, preening for the audience and eying the coeds.

Funny and poignant. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to choke the bastard.


164 of 241 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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