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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Squid And The Whale, The
Genre: Comedy Drama

Reviewed In Issue 107 (Apr 2006) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, William Baldwin, Halley Feiffer & Anna Paquin

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 2.5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4
Internet Links
www.squidandthewhalemovie.com

Special Features
Special features include audio commentary by writer/director Noah Baumbach on 35 different elements of the film rather than a talk-over of the movie itself, a 38-minute conversation between Noah Baumbach and Phillip Lopate, a ten-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, previews, and up-front ads.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 13494
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Strong sexual content, graphic dialogue, and language
(Retail Price): $26.96
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 81
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2005
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 03/21/06
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Noah Baumbach
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
"The Squid And The Whale" gives a whole new meaning to the words "disfunctional family." When authors Bernard (Daniels) and Joan (Linney) Berkman decide to get a divorce, it's their young sons Walt (Eisenberg) and Frank (Kline) who pay the price. Frank spends his time drinking and masturbating and decides he'd rather be with mom. But Walt picks his dad as his parent of choice and goes to live with him in a house in a new neighborhood. This story, based on writer/director Noah Baumbach's own childhood experiences, explores the pains of growing up with artistic, creative, and very self-centered parents. (Tricia Spears)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits a subtle, natural appearance, wtih nicely saturated colors that are well balanced. Fine film grain is inherent in the source element, but nothing that can be considered excessive. Sensitive viewers to handheld camerawork may find some scenes a bit dizzying. Objects occasionally have an edgy appearance, and there is some pixelization. Overall, the picture is understated, but with a look that is suitable for the storytelling. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby