The Squid and the Whale Photo

The Squid and the Whale

Starring: Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, Halley Feiffer

Directed by: Noah Baumbach

RS: 4of 4 Stars

2006

"I felt I could've written it . . . that it was already written was a technicality," says Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) when a shrink collars him about passing off Pink Floyd's "Hey You" as his own composition at a high school talent show. This minor-key craw-sticker about a family falling apart in 1980s Brooklyn is pitch-perfect. And writer-director Noah Baumbach's commentary makes repeat viewing a must.

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