The unpredictable effects of a sticky divorce on close-knit kin in 1980s Brooklyn are likely to resonate deeply with generations X and Next in Noah Baumbach's quirky dramedy 'The Squid and the Whale.' Writer/director Baumbach (1995's amusing post-grad dissertation 'Kicking and Screaming') takes a true-to-life scenario and layers it not only with incredible emotional weight but edge and irreverence. Based on Baumbach's formative years in the lovely hood of Park Slope, the tale finds the dysfunctional Berkman family heading straight to Splitsville. Bernard (Jeff Daniels), a professor and fading literary star with no shortage of snobbery (he refers to Kafka as "one of my predecessors"), and Joan (Laura Linney), a fellow writer whose sudden success has no doubt emasculated him, finally make the announcement to an indifferent teen son Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and little bro Frank (Owen Kline). Cats are argued over, affairs disclosed, new lovers taken, and all the while the kids are facing coming-of-age crises of their own -- and crises of divided loyalties and confused allegiance. It may be a family spiraling out of control, but there's an underlying sense that somehow these folks will assure one another's survival. Pay close attention to the way Baumbach subtly (and at times, obviously) injects Walt with his father's mannerisms and expressions, just one of the details that so truthfully capture the complicated dynamics of family and divorce.

Inside the DVD A conservation between Baumbach and fellow Brooklyn writer Phillip Lopate may only appeal to local viewers, but the director-shot behind-the-scenes feature captures quite a few precious on-set moments. Those include young Kline asserting his belief that "rehearsal should be as good as the actual shot," Eisenberg discovering his talent show number has been changed at the last minute, and Baumbach admitting he prefers "characters who are articulate and cultured and aware of psychology and art." So, no philistines, please.
Unforgettable Scene After Bernard relocates to a decrepit old house he calls "the filet of the neighborhood," he soon invites a sexy young student of his (Anna Paquin) to move in. You can imagine Walt's discomfort when he opens the door to find his father practically groping her.
Breakout Stars The perfectly neurotic Jesse Eisenberg ('Roger Dodger') continues to impress, while Owen Kline (son of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates) does his 'rents proud as a foul-mouthed tween who gets himself into some pretty sticky situations.
Why You Should See It You'll be hard-pressed to find many films this personal, which makes it all the more impressive that Baumbach has managed to shape it so hilariously and affectingly. Factor in a career performance from Jeff Daniels and another spellbinding day at the office for Laura Linney and you've got one pretty flawless picture about pretty deeply flawed folks.