Viggo Mortensens shines here before his seminal role in Green Book. It is his second Academy Award lead actor nomination. All the actors, young and old are very good as an ensemble cast. The real star however is Matt Ross who writes and direct a complex tale of exploring the limits and merits of thinking and actually living differently. His views on education, religion, death, humour, honesty, consumerism, entertainment, sex and nudity are very interesting and challenge the accepted social norms.
The film explores a father's quest to elevate the lives of his children with love, knowledge and deep awareness, yet who is confronted with the clash of this idyllic utopia with the harsh realities of the cold world.
Filled with humour, sweet and smart moments, the movie shines and reminds me of some of Little Miss Sunshine (2006) with much deeper and relevant themes. The scene where "Noam Chomsky Day" is put against the attractive fairytale of Christmas as a child's point of you is poignant not only in the screenplays powerful points and messages but even more so in the family dynamic of openness and truth-seeking instead of accepting half-baked perpetuated ideas or stroking egos.
Another unforgettable scene is when the dad storms the church during a ceremony and makes an epic, no BS and relevant speech that rings true and "sticks it to the man". Enjoy this philosophical whimsical tale of the level of parenthood we should all hold ourselves accountable for.
The film explores a father's quest to elevate the lives of his children with love, knowledge and deep awareness, yet who is confronted with the clash of this idyllic utopia with the harsh realities of the cold world.
Filled with humour, sweet and smart moments, the movie shines and reminds me of some of Little Miss Sunshine (2006) with much deeper and relevant themes. The scene where "Noam Chomsky Day" is put against the attractive fairytale of Christmas as a child's point of you is poignant not only in the screenplays powerful points and messages but even more so in the family dynamic of openness and truth-seeking instead of accepting half-baked perpetuated ideas or stroking egos.
Another unforgettable scene is when the dad storms the church during a ceremony and makes an epic, no BS and relevant speech that rings true and "sticks it to the man". Enjoy this philosophical whimsical tale of the level of parenthood we should all hold ourselves accountable for.