Captain Fantastic (2016)

Captain Fantastic feels like it cheats quite a bit. It's central theme, the conflict between the ideals of its lead character, the way he is seen by the world around him, and the disconnect between those world is never honestly explored. Instead the film follows a series of fairly archetypal moments to a rather safe and pedestrian conclusion making it all seem a bit pointless. It's beautifully shot and powerfully acted pointlessness.

Pointlessness isn't a problem in itself. But when a story tackles an idea and then doesn't do it justice, the lack of meaning stands out. The film isn't entertaining enough on its own without the exploration of ideas, and exploration that is barely done.

What I mean by this can best be described through summarizing the events. Viggo Mortensen plays a man who has chosen to live and raise his family outside society but comes into conflict with the society he abhors when his wife passes away and he and the children have to confront the world he has taught them to not only deconstruct but resist. This should be fascinating but for me the confrontations feel so cookie cutter, so predictable. Each scene is structured to make a point. There is little subtlety or complexity to the clash of civilizations.

The film lets us feel sympathetic to him but not empathetic. It never makes him more than a well intentioned freak. And the world he is resisting. It's problems are never explored properly. The risk to the children is all one sided. I think if Captain Fantastic had found a way to show the risk that exists for children every day, as opposed to only when they are outside the system, it would have been a more interesting film.

When the inevitable climax comes it all just feels too easy. Mortensen surrenders fair more quickly than feels honest or organic. And the catharsis at the end also feels a bit of a cheat, like it comes out of left field. The trajectory of the film, even if it did feel too plotted, gets tossed aside and things settle into a safe resolution that is just too easy.  It is lovely to watch and the interactions with the cast are quite engaging. 

Captain Fantastic doesn't fail, it just never becomes something more interesting, as interesting as it could have been.

Captain Fantastic
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Ann Dowd, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn
Director: Matt Ross
Writer: Matt Ross