There's a lot to learn from the people who are considered outsiders in society in this moving film by Matt Ross.
Captain Fantastic (2016)
A film by Matt Ross
Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife, Leslie, are living deep into the woods with their six children. Far from civilization, the children are educated to think critically with knowledge in arts, sciences, and philosophy; trained to be physically fit like athletes, capable of using weapons and surviving without technology; and taught to appreciate co-existing with nature. But when Leslie dies after committing suicide, the family is forced to immerse from isolation, and explore the real world to attend her funeral.
Captain Fantastic (2016)
A film by Matt Ross
Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife, Leslie, are living deep into the woods with their six children. Far from civilization, the children are educated to think critically with knowledge in arts, sciences, and philosophy; trained to be physically fit like athletes, capable of using weapons and surviving without technology; and taught to appreciate co-existing with nature. But when Leslie dies after committing suicide, the family is forced to immerse from isolation, and explore the real world to attend her funeral.
Captain Fantastic creates a dream-like structure of living in sync with nature. With the lives of the children appearing too perfect. Well-trained, healthy, and remarkably intelligent. They value hard work, and are taught of the importance of respect and honesty. A utopian vision. Yet, the film does not lack the quality of rawness. Ross writes the narrative with the right balance of idylls and harsh truths. Though actions of the protagonists may seem absurd at times, it still doesn't try too hard.
When the family leaves home to attend the funeral of their mother, the children are exposed to the world they know nothing about. This is shown with subtlety, without totally crashing the ideologies taught to the children. The disadvantages are put into the spotlight (despite efforts of Ben to raise their children differently, he's still limiting their experiences), but without disregarding the advantages of the family's unconventional lifestyle. Ross manages to convince viewers to reexamine their values in a world where technology is starting to take over socialization, while still bringing awareness on dangers of isolation. He shows the two sides of the story without bias, and the result was magnificent. Complemented, of course, by the film's beautiful cinematography and on-point editing. The actors deserve praise, too. The children are a revelation, especially George MacKay. While Mortensen's performance never disappoints.
Captain Fantastic is entertaining, and eye-opening. Filled with poignant moments that will further make you question today's norms, it is, indeed, a beautiful masterpiece.
When the family leaves home to attend the funeral of their mother, the children are exposed to the world they know nothing about. This is shown with subtlety, without totally crashing the ideologies taught to the children. The disadvantages are put into the spotlight (despite efforts of Ben to raise their children differently, he's still limiting their experiences), but without disregarding the advantages of the family's unconventional lifestyle. Ross manages to convince viewers to reexamine their values in a world where technology is starting to take over socialization, while still bringing awareness on dangers of isolation. He shows the two sides of the story without bias, and the result was magnificent. Complemented, of course, by the film's beautiful cinematography and on-point editing. The actors deserve praise, too. The children are a revelation, especially George MacKay. While Mortensen's performance never disappoints.
"If you assume that there is no hope, then you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world." — Noam Chomsky
(photo not mine; credits to owner)
