Of Calamari and Blubber

Right now, if you want to see The Squid and the Whale, one of Seattlest's favorite films from 2005, you don't have much by way of options. Until recently, it was playing at the Uptown Theatre. You could wait for it to be out on DVD; its post-Oscars release is not until March 21st. Nah, don't bother: director Noel Baumbach's third full-length continues to play both locations of the Big Picture, the cushiest theatres in town. We do so enjoy having a cocktail with our film, and oh! what a film it is.

This movie really touched us. So often, it managed to be simultaneously funny and sad. We've always enjoyed verité film portrayals of genuine, uncomfortable admixtures of feelings. Major forces colliding. We don't want give away too much of the plot---much better to allow this treasure of a film to quietly reveal itself---so let's just say that parents break up and children react in different ways. All the acting is strong: Jeff Daniels as a wounded, flailing, academic beast of a man; Laura Linney, terrific as always, as his equally intelligent and caustic wife. Both of the child actors (Owen Kline and Jesse Eisenberg) give performances far wiser than their years. Even Billy Baldwin gets a great small role as a beau-hunk tennis instructor. Baumbach is also the writer here, and his script, based on his own parents' divorce, bears all the marks of unremitting, overwhelming authenticity. While it's so funny that it hurts, more than anything, this film feels true.

Added bonus: It makes use of a terrible Pink Floyd song.

The Squid and the Whale at Big Picture
Seattle location now through Thursday (no film Wednesday) at 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Redmond location now through Tuesday at 8:30pm (Pride and Prejudice shows at 5:45pm)