Review by John Delia
Giving probably his best performance in many years, Viggo Mortenson makes Captain Fantastic up-close and personal. And the acting, direction and cinematography all come together in this heartfelt film about a strong-willed family. However, the storyline takes on a dark tone concerning todays’ social and religious beliefs that tends to provide its own agenda. While it’s not uncommon for films to add critical scenes, this one becomes obsessive with it.
Living in the vast Forrest region of the Pacific Northwest for the past eight years the Cash family has been existing free of America’s growing social and economic trends. Teaching their six children Bodevan (George MacKay), Kielyr (Samantha Isler), Vespyr (Annalise Basso), Rellian (Nicholas Hamilton), Zaja (Shree Crooks) and Nai (Charlie Shotwell) home school style, Ben and Leslie make sure the kids read the library of books they have specifically accumulated. The daily regimen beyond school time include hunting for food, exercise military style, climbing cliffs and daily chores.
It’s been about a month since Leslie Cash has been in a hospital far from her forest home. Suffering from psychological pain following her last child’s birth, has put her in a bi-polar state. The children are under the care of Ben who’s a very strong head of household and things are operating as usual. When Ben gets word from a family member that Leslie has died, he gets the kids together for a trip to her funeral.
The movie progresses from there showing the differences between children contained and taught outside today’s changing world and those living in it as the family takes their converted bus into modern society. Director and writer Matt Ross who’s relatively new to directing does an excellent job of making the vast Northwest forest a big part of the movie. Here he shows the coming of age teens living a tough life among the trees, brooks and mountains that have become their home. He shows their personalities change with each new experience, interaction with the outside world and education, especially young Zaja played by Shree Crooks.
If I were to choose an actor to play Ben Cash it would be Viggo Mortenson who nails the determined character. He gives his all as the matriarch alone and in charge of six growing children who only know their parent’s playground and nothing beyond. He’s been supportive of his wife Leslie’s desire to bring the children up away from all the social change and negative influences that modern society has brought to the table. Mortenson’s performance is the real reason to see the film and he should capture an Oscar nomination for his acting.
The whole support cast does a great job of depicting their characters especially the children in the Cash family. Leading the pack is George MacKay as Bo who’s wanting to attend college and experience life beyond the forest. He’s a shy guy when it comes to girls and when he meets Claire/ in a trailer camp he becomes awkward showing he’s out of his comfort zone when it comes to romance. When she gives him his first kiss however, Bo is ready to jump into his coming of age skin.
Cute and charming Shree Crooks stars as Zaja the youngest girl of the Cash family. She picks up on every phase his older brothers and sisters make wanting to know what it means. When it comes to sex however, the inquisitive child gets a dose of understanding she didn’t expect. Kielyr (Samantha Isler) and Vespyr (Annalise Basso) have developed into strong and smart adolescents showing skills that most of today’s teens lack. In addition of being highly intelligent, they are as wiry as their brothers and quick with a weapon to defend themselves or provide food for the family.
Captain Fantastic has been rated R by the MPAA for language and brief graphic nudity. The full frontal male nudity may be brief, but it’s obviously gratuitous. The continuous rude language coming from even the youngest of the children become the norm, rather than for effect.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Beyond the performances, the story’s cynical and somewhat over-the-top. (C-)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Frank Langella, Ann Dowd, Steve Zahn, Shree Crooks, Kathryn Hahn, Nicholas Hamilton, Trin Miller, Charlie Shotwell, Elijah Stevenson, Teddy Van Ee, Erin Moriarty, Missi Pyle
Directed, writer: Matt Ross
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and brief graphic nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 58 min.
Release Date: July 29, 2016
Distributed by: Bleecker Street