The Squid and the Whale

Set in Brooklyn in 1986, "The Squid and the Whale" captures with extraordinary immediacy the inner workings of the Berkman family. Bernard (Jeff Daniels), a once successful novelist, and his wife Joan (Laura Linney), an up-and-coming writer, have given up on their marriage. Their two sons Walt (Jesse Eisenberg), 16, and Frank (Owen Kline), 12, are left to grapple with their confusing and conflicted feelings. The emotional tensions and strains that emerge during this difficult period for the Berkmans are given an unusually subtle and nuanced portrayal, producing scenes that are both anguished and hilarious to watch. This is a film that deftly presents the realities of a family in transition learning to redefine itself.