The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Synopsis: Two teenage brothers must adapt to a new life when their parents separate.
Appraisal: It manages to turn a somewhat grim subject into an attention grabber, which is a sure sign of talent; however, its telegraphic style composed predominantly of short sequences allows only a superficial glimpse into these lives and that is not engrossing enough in this case. The approach may work in films like The Wild Child (referenced in one line) because it is sort of an anthropological study; here, all you have are its characters, and the deeper the filmmaker goes, the more resonating the experience of watching it will be. I guess (not having seen it, only read some of its dialog) The Mother and the Whore (referenced in another line) would have been a better model. The Squid and the Whale feels honest but at the same time distant. I think it works, though not as well as it could.
Rating: 67