Day
27 Captain Fantastic [2016]
Screenplay Matt Ross
Director Matt Ross
Cinematography Stéphane Fontaine
Music Alex Somers
Leads Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Kathryn
Hahn, Steve Zahn
Production Electric City
Entertainment, ShivHans Pictures
IMDb 7.9/10
Rotten
Tomatoes 83%
I
watched this the first time on a flight and loved it instantly, so I made a
friend who hadn’t seen it watch it with me just so I could write about it. It
didn’t let us down. I’m not sure what it is that I love so much about this
film. I wouldn’t say I’m blown away by any particular dimension, although
Mortensen’s acting is brilliant and Academy Award nominated. I think it’s
because I relate to the lifestyle that he and his wife are trying to achieve.
Cut off from society, they are away from the horrible modern world, living
rationally in a beautiful part of the world. It is a life I have dreamed of,
however the reason the film works for me so well is that it exposes all the
issues of this idealistic living in a very real way. Vices such as the children
lacking social skills and struggling to connect with others their age all
oppose the notion of breaking the mould, and show how tied to modern society we
all are, whether we think it or not. It’s beautifully shot, beautifully acted,
I’d watch it if I were you, but what do I know?
Acting 4 / 4
Writing 3.5 / 4
Cinematography 3.5 / 4
Music 3 / 4
HWF rating 4 / 4