About The Squid and the Whale

The Squid and the Whale is a 2005 dark comedy film directed by Noah Baumbach. The film is set in 1986 and follows the lives of a dysfunctional family living in Brooklyn, New York. It explores themes of divorce, coming-of-age, and the impact of the parents' relationships on their two teenage sons.

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

The Squid and the Whale tells the story of Bernard Berkman, played by Jeff Daniels, and his wife Joan, played by Laura Linney, who are both writers. The couple decides to separate, causing their two sons, 16-year-old Walt and 12-year-old Frank, to navigate the emotional challenges of their parents' divorce.

Walt, played by Jesse Eisenberg, starts behaving inappropriately and imitating his father's intellectual pretensions. Meanwhile, Frank, played by Owen Kline, struggles with his own adolescence and begins acting out in school. The film explores the impact of the parents' dysfunctional behavior on the two boys as they grapple with their own identity and relationships.

Making / Production

The Squid and the Whale was written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who based the story on his own experiences growing up in a family of writers. Baumbach aimed to create an honest portrayal of divorce and its impact on children, drawing inspiration from his own parents' separation.

The film was shot in Brooklyn, New York, giving it an authentic setting that reflects the artistic and intellectual environment in which the characters reside. Baumbach used a handheld camera to create a raw and intimate feel, enhancing the emotional intensity of the performances.

Actors

• Jeff Daniels as Bernard Berkman - Daniels portrays the self-absorbed and narcissistic father, struggling with his fading literary career and unresolved feelings about his own success.
• Laura Linney as Joan Berkman - Linney portrays the mother, who tries to establish her own writing career while dealing with the emotional fallout of the separation.
• Jesse Eisenberg as Walt Berkman - Eisenberg depicts the older son, who becomes increasingly influenced by his father's behavior and attempts to assert his own intellectual identity.
• Owen Kline as Frank Berkman - Kline plays the younger son, who copes with his parents' separation through rebellious and destructive behavior.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title of the film is inspired by a diorama displayed at the American Museum of Natural History, depicting a giant squid battling a sperm whale. The diorama serves as a metaphor for the Berkman family's own emotional struggles.
• Noah Baumbach's parents, Georgia Brown and Jonathan Baumbach, are both influential writers and artists. The characters of Bernard and Joan Berkman are loosely based on them.
• The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Awards

The Squid and the Whale was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Although it did not win, the film received widespread praise for its bold storytelling and exceptional performances.

Quotes

• "In the context of academic success, athletic achievement, popularity, and creativity, I think I've done pretty well." - Bernard Berkman
• "I'm gonna say something, and I don't want you to take it the wrong way." - Joan Berkman
• "What kind of moron leaves his library books in the rain?" - Walt Berkman

Music / Soundtrack

The Squid and the Whale features a well-curated soundtrack that complements the film's 1980s setting. The music includes tracks from artists such as Lou Reed, The Cars, and Pink Floyd, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the emotional depth of the story. The original score for the film was composed by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips.