★★★★★
Starring Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Nicholas Hamilton, Shree Crooks, Charlie Shotwell, Trin Miller, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, Frank Langella, Ann Dowd, Missi Pyle
Directed by Matt Ross
2016 / 118 Minutes / Universal Pictures / Entertainment One
Captain Fantastic is just that… it’s absolutely fantastic! It’s one of the most entertaining, funny, touching and thought provoking films of the year. I had zero expectations going into this and did not know a lot about it except that the actor (Matt Ross) from Silicon Valley wrote and directed this… and he certainly nailed it!
Viggo Mortensen plays the father of six kids being raised in the forests of the Pacific Northwest away from society. Their life turns upside down when they leave their paradise for reasons I don’t want to spoil (even though the trailer does). The story is wonderfully entertaining and is a perfect mix of comedy and drama.
Mortensen is superb and gives one of the best performances of his career. Equally great is the supporting cast. This kids hold their own next to Mortensen. Also, Kathryn Hahn who seems to be in every movie and television show lately (which I approve of) is terrific in a very small, but perfectly cast role.
This movie could have gone in so many directions that you might expect movies like this to take, but thankfully Ross’s brilliant direction steers it on track. I don’t even want to think about this story getting into the wrong hands. Can you imagine this being turned into some sort of Adam Sandler comedy!
I loved this film and think it deserves so much more attention than it’s getting… see it! One of the best of the year!
Grade A
