Captain Fantastic (2016)

Release date: 2016-07-29
Country: USA
Language: English|Esperanto
Director: Matt Ross
Production Co: Electric City Entertainment, ShivHans Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: 7.9/10
Length: 1h 58min

Storyline

Ben and Leslie Cash live largely off the grid with their offspring -- Bodevan, Kielyr, Vespyr, Rellian, Zaja and Nai -- in a cabin in the mountains of Washington state. The parents have passed their socialist and survivalist ideals to their children. Ben considers most of Western society to be fascist, especially corporate America. He also believes that no one will or should be there for you, so you'd better learn how to take care of yourself. As such, the children have been subject to vigorous physical training; know how to deal with minor bumps, bruises, cuts, sprains, and even fractures; and know how to hunt, forage, and grow their own food. The children are also non-registered home schooled, meaning that they have no official academic records. Ben and Leslie have tried to make the children critical thinkers, however, within the context of their ideals. Beyond these issues, Ben and Leslie made the decision to live this lifestyle for Leslie's health. Formerly an attorney, Leslie was...

Plot Keywords

male full frontal nudity, funeral, male frontal nudity, suicide, suicide of mother, loss of wife, last will and testament, teenage girl, father son relationship, hunting knife, male pubic hair, male nudity, dancing, precocious child, rock climbing, reading, politics, killing an animal, brother sister relationship, campfire

Short Review

There are many tonal plates being spun here; the lack of a deafening crash is impressive. It comes down, you suspect, to the film's embrace of its own contradictions.