The Squid and the Whale (2005)

The American indie comedy-drama film, The Squid and the Whale (2005), written and directed by Noah Baumbach, is set in 1986. Bernard Berkman, an arrogant novelist whose career has been on a downward spiral, is struggling to find an agent. Meanwhile, his wife Joan’s work is gaining widespread recognition, causing tension between them. One day, the couple informs their two sons- 16-year-old Walt and 12-year-old Frank- of their separation. They agree to joint custody and spending equal time with the kids, but after they split up, their relationship becomes even more combative than before as Bernard moves to a house on the other side of Prospect Park from their home in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Joan becomes involved with Ivan, Frank’s tennis instructor, while Bernard shares his new house with Lili, one of his students. This causes a divide between the two brothers as they take opposing sides in their parents’ ongoing battle; Frank aligns with their mother and Walt with their father. Walt deeply admires their father and tries to imitate him, placing the blame on their mother for the family’s struggles. Both boys display outward signs of conflict with their parents, but also exhibit internal turmoil and differing coping mechanisms. As Ivan’s influence takes hold on Frank, he begins drinking beer and mimicking his mannerisms. Similarly, under the overwhelming guidance of their father, Walt ruins his relationship with his girlfriend Sophie causing her to end things.