Captain Fantastic Review
RYAN: This is one of the best films of the year so far. I was very surprised because the premise didn’t hook me when I heard about it and it looks very Wes Anderson, which is polarizing, to say the least. But it’s not like a Wes movie at all and it’s the kind of movie that affects you, touches you, makes you think. I’ll probably continue to think about this over time.
CAROLINE: I wish I had seen it with you. I like those kinds of movies too.
RYAN: It starts out with a disturbing image because the kids are hunting – and for a film about a father raising his children off the grid, it doesn’t hold back the reality of survival in the wilderness. But after the first quarter of the film, when things take a step forward in the plot, I was completely enthralled.
CAROLINE: Please, don’t hold back. How was Viggo?
RYAN: He’s fantastic. It’s my fave performance of his. The whole cast is great. The kids are exceptionally cast and give everything they have. Then there are a bunch of great actors in supporting roles – Kathryn Hahn, Missi Pyle, Steve Zahn, Frank Langella,
CAROLINE: I love Kathryn. Is she funny in this?
RYAN: There are definitely some moments with a bit of comedic relief, but it’s vastly a drama. There are some comedic and romantic subplots, but they’re very sub – more like moments. I just love how very different this family is living in comparison to the typical way of life. And it really makes you consider how, as a society, we all just follow the norms instead of questioning them. And you have to wonder what the responsibility of parents are in choosing how to raise their kids.
CAROLINE: As a mom, myself, I certainly think about it.
RYAN: It’s also a bit of a survival story; but as far as the kids are concerned, it’s being thrust upon them instead of being a choice, like in most movies dealing with that, where characters sometimes put themselves, or find themselves, in that position. And it’s sometimes painful to watch the kids suffer because of the parents decision.
CAROLINE: Where is their mother in all of this?
RYAN: That’s revealed but I don’t wanna give any spoilers. This movie put our society’s norms under a microscope and has made me really look at that in a different light. Also of note, there is major full frontal Viggo in this movie – perhaps the longest full frontal male shot I’ve ever seen in a film.
CAROLINE: He must have something to be proud of.
RYAN: No comment.
CAROLINE: (laughs) Many reasons to see this film.
RYAN: It’s really brilliant and worth seeing with people so you can talk all about its implications after.
