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The squid and the whale - Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, Noah Baumbach

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Movie propaganda

Joint custody blows.

Set in Brooklyn in 1986, The Squid and the Whale captures with extraordinary immediacy the inner workings of the Berkmans. Bernard (Jeff Daniels), a once successful novelist and Joan (Laura Linney), have given up on their marriage, leaving their two sons Walt (Jesse Eisenberg), 16, and Frank (Owen Kline), 12, to grapple with what has become of the family.

The film is a tender, funny, excruciating, perilous and ultimately moving coming-of-age for Walt and a tortuously premature one for Frank. The emotional tensions and strains that emerge during this difficult period for the Berkman family are given a subtle and nuanced portrayal. This is a film that deftly presents the realities of a family in transition learning to redefine itself.

Based on the childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film drama family father son mother separation marriage biography

Persons of interest

Jeff Daniels .... Bernard Berkman
Laura Linney .... Joan Berkman
Jesse Eisenberg .... Walt Berkman
Owen Kline .... Frank Berkman
Halley Feiffer .... Sophie
Billy Baldwin .... Ivan
Alexandra Daddario .... Kate Roach
Eli Gelb .... Jeffrey
Henry Glovinsky .... Lance
Anna Paquin .... Lili
Adam Rose .... Otto
Benjamin Smolen .... Tony
Jo Yang .... Nurse
Noah Baumbach .... Screenwriter
Noah Baumbach .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The squid and the whale official movie site
The squid and the whale production notes
The squid and the whale QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS - Oscars) 2005: Nominated: Original screenplay (Noah Baumbach)
American Film Institute (AFI) 2005: Movie of the year - Official selection
Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Golden Globes) 2005: Nominated: Picture - Musical Or Comedy, Actor In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy (Jeff Daniels), Actress In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy (Laura Linney)
Independent Spirit Awards 2006: Nominated: Best feature, Best director (Noah Baumbach), Best screenplay (Noah Baumbach), Best female lead (Laura Linney), Best male lead (Jeff Daniels), Best supporting male (Jesse Eisenberg)
Online Film Critics Society Awards 2005: Nominated: Best original screenplay (Noah Baumbach), Best breakthrough performer (Owen Kline)
Sundance Film Festival 2005: Won: Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award (Noah Baumbach); Nominated: Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic (Noah Baumbach)
Toronto International Film Festival 2005: Screening
US National Society of Film Critics Awards 2006: Won: Best Screenplay (Noah Baumbach)
Writers Guild of America 2005: Nominated: Original screenplay (Noah Baumbach)