The Squid and the Whale (R, 2005)
common sense media says
A family falls apart -- for adults only.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a film for mature viewers, dealing with difficult emotional and moral themes. The family members are hurtful to one another, by deceit, betrayal, quarreling, and spitefulness. Characters smoke occasionally and drink frequently (an underage child drinks beer); one character vomits in a toilet. Most of the sexual content is narrated, as characters describe personal histories and desires, often with graphic language (slang for genitals, frequent uses of the f-word). Some characters engage in sexual activity (a college student kisses her teacher, young couple kisses, mom has affair with tennis pro, a shot from Blue Velvet shows breasts, a young boy masturbates on library books, wipes his semen on a locker, tries on a condom). Some minor violence, including brothers fighting, a wife slapping her estranged husband, an accidental bloody nose.
Violence:
Some slapping, fighting, and emotionally distressed interactions.
Sex:
Heavy sexual content, in verbal and visual forms (language includes slang for genitals and activity); masturbation by a young boy, who also tries on a condom; parents engage in adulterous affairs and talk about them; teacher tries to seduce his female student.
Language:
Frequent uses of the f-word, plus sexual slang, s-word, "damn," "ass."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Frequent drinking and some smoking.
More on The Squid and the Whale
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Most useful reviews by all members
Rainy Day
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
The Squid and the Whale Review
“The Squid and the Whale” is a metaphor for divorce. The title refers to an exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, in which a model whale and giant squid are entangled with each other, engaged in a wordless, motionless struggle. Noah Baumbach directs this very personal film, which is, to a certain extent, biographical. The plot follows a family living in the suburbs that’s dysfunctional in every sense of the word, with a narcissistic father, fed-up mother, and misguided pair of brothers who separate and try to find hope despite pain. The writing and acting are both superb. Jesse Eisenberg gives a great performance as the sullen and angry Walt, while his younger brother is just as good as an innocent boy who grows up too fast. Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels are also terrific as the divorcing parents in the film. (Content-wise: there are no good role models, extremely offensive language, sexual acts concerning children, and "questionable" behavior all taking place throughout). The movie is rough, but has a very important, moving message that people need to hear.
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JustSun
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
If you've been through a divorce, definately worth watching
Very good movie about a difficult topic. The very frank sexual discussions may make watching this uncomfortable for some.
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beaware
adult
adult
Disgustingly bad
I watched this movie not knowing what it was about. The only memorable thing I can say is "Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels must have been desperate!" Definitely not for any age kids, especially impressionable ones. The 12 year old boy does things I would NEVER hope my children see. This mention ends abrubtly and leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
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daystar58
adult
adult
A poorly made movie on a good topic
I watched The Squid and The Whale alone, thankfully. I don't know what the screenwriter was thinking, but he missed the boat on a couple of key issues. One, there are no consequences to anyone's actions. For example, when the younger son is caught masturbating on school grounds, the parents are informed and nothing happens. Nada. Zip. Nobody is outraged, hurt, shocked or upset by his behavior. When the older son is caught plagiarizing (he performs a song at his school's variety show that is written by Pink Floyd but claims that he wrote it), he is referred to the school psychologist. Why wasn't the younger son placed in counseling for his behavior (not to mention the fact that he is portrayed drinking not just beer but liquor)? Second, Bernard is clearly an unfit parent; he curses endlessly in front of his kids, has a visible affair with his student in their home, and leaves his younger son home alone while he goes to an event at a distant college campus with disastrous consequences. Again, nothing happens. Most mothers would haul him into court and limit his visitation, but Joan seems passive in this situation. Not good...
Jeff Daniels is a great actor, but I felt like someone else would've portrayed Bernard with a better mix of skill and pathos. I ended up not caring about anyone in this picture and that shouldn't be the case with such a hot-button, emotionally-charged topic.
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