The Squid and the Whale has definitely etched itself into my list of favourites. I love how the need to find blame in both the father and/or mother presents itself clandestinely and subtly through the melodrama. I found this fluctuating as the movie progressed, shifting from father to mother and back, and I eventually realised that the balance rested on Walt. The more significant of the two children (because Frank establishes himself early on as a vulgar and irrational pubescent), Walt served as a pivot between the two parties in the emotional conflict, and my loyalty shifted between two adult protagonists swayed whenever Walt decided one deserved more than the other.

At the end of it all, I found that neither parent deserved the credibility their respective child (Walt on Dad’s side, Frank on Mom’s) granted them, and there were no correct sides to take in this intensely awkward tale of painfully funny dysfunction.

Thank you.