6/10
2005-10-05 R The Squid and the Whale

The Squid and the Whale

Joint custody blows.

Release Date: 2005-10-05

Rating: 6.947 / 10

Runtime: 81 mins

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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Details


Runtime

81 minutes

Release Date

2005-10-05

Budget

$1,500,000

Box Office Earnings

$11,100,000

Behind the Scenes

Cast and Crew Members

Cast

Halley Feiffer
Halley Feiffer
Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin
David Benger
David Benger
Molly Barton
Molly Barton
Bo Berkman
Bo Berkman

Crew Members

Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach Director

Awards and Nominations

Oscar - WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

Year: 2006
Status: 🎭 Nominated

Audience Reviews

Read authentic reviews from real viewers about this movie.

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  • John Doe's avatar

    Wuchak

    Rating: 8/10

    "***Gripping realistic account of divorce and its consequences; it’s also occasionally comical*** “The Squid and the Whale” (2005) is a frank, quirky and amusing drama about a family from Brooklyn in 1986 that encounters divorce and the ramifications thereof. The father (Jeff Daniels) is a literary professor and fading author while the wife (Laura Linney) is an emerging writer, a sweet liberal who for some reason can’t stop having affairs. The two boys are played by Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline. William Baldwin is on hand as a tennis instructor while Anna Paquin plays a college student. The story is unsurprisingly based on director/writer Noah Baumbach’s own family’s experience. I say “unsurprisingly” because the movie smacks of real life with its candid and sometimes comical approach. A few viewers didn’t ‘get’ the father, Bernard Berkman (Daniels), and have interpreted him in an uber-negative way. Yes, he’s a grotesquely competitive, pompous cheapskate, but his comical flaws are rounded out by an inherent decency. He’s clearly not the unfaithful partner and wants to keep the family together. He takes the time to spend quality time with his boys and mentor them, especially Walt (Eisenberg), who idolizes him. Speaking of the father and Walt, Eisenberg and Daniel’s characters and their performances are the highlight of this picture. Both characters are fascinating psychological studies. Eisenberg possesses the intense, intelligent charisma of James McAvoy and Brando. Is it any wonder that he went on to play The Joker in the DCEU? Winsome Halley Feiffer is on hand as his girlfriend. Speaking of females, Anna Paquin is another highlight even while her lack of modesty isn’t very becoming. Nevertheless she looks great in jeans. The movie runs 1 hour, 21 minutes and was shot in Brooklyn, New York. GRADE: A-"

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the runtime of the The Squid and the Whale ?

The movie is approximately 81 minutes long.

What is the The Squid and the Whale's release date?

2005-10-05 marks the official release date of the movie.

What genre is the The Squid and the Whale?

The movie belongs to the Comedy Drama genres, offering a variety of experiences from adventure to fantasy.

Who are the main actors in the The Squid and the Whale?

The lead actors include Jeff Daniels , Laura Linney , and Jesse Eisenberg , among others.

Who directed The Squid and the Whale?

The movie was directed by Noah Baumbach

What is the The Squid and the Whale's budget?

The movie had an estimated budget of $1,500,000 .

How much did The Squid and the Whale movie earn at the box office?

A Cinderella Story grossed an estimated $11,100,000 at the box office.

What are some production companies behind the The Squid and the Whale movie?

Major production companies include Destination Films Original Media American Empirical Pictures Peter Newman/Interal .

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