Captain Fantastic is a comedy drama film directed by Matt Ross. The plot of the film revolves around a family who live in the woods, they are entirely off the grid and loving it, however after the mother kills herself it is up to the dad Ben (Viggo Mortensen), to protect his kids as he brings them into the big bad 21st century modern world for their mother’s funeral.
I think this is a beautiful little film, it is quirky and different, and it will make you smile as much as it will make you cry. The film often raises the question is the way Ben and his late wife brought up their kids the right way? We see many other character judge Ben for not letting his kids go to school, though he home schools them, and just for his parenting style in general: the film doesn’t definitely say one way or the other which style of parenting is right, just as long as you love your kids and that they are happy that is all that really matters.
Ever since I was little, I have always had a thing about film narratives where children are taken from their parents, I don’t know why, but they have always been incredibly hard to watch for me and the same is true of this film. When the children’s grandfather (Frank Langella), tries to take the kids away from Ben it is heart breaking: likewise, when the kids all go after their father and choose to live with him it can’t help but make you cheer.
I think the performances from Mortensen and George MacKay (who plays the oldest son) are both fantastic and were deserving of the awards attention they got. Mortensen perfect captures a mixture of cocky and harsh whilst also being very loving and warm. Whereas MacKay illustrates through his performance the feelings of a child who has outgrown their parent and needs to go and find their own place in the world.
Overall, a wonderful film that is bound to leave an impression on you.
Pros.
Mortensen.
MacKay.
The laughs.
The quirky sensibilities.
Cons.
It is a little hard to watch at times.
4.5/5
Reviewed by Luke
Another Millennial Reviewer 