If you’ve ever pondered about walking away from civilization and home schooling your family then this is the movie for you.
Father Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) is raising his family of six children deep in the Washington forest, after he and his wife turned their backs on civilisation. The children hunt for their meals, keep fit through daily martial arts training and read books at night.
Entertainment is in the form of book reviews that go well beyond plot points. The children talk about Trotsky and Marxism with a vigour others reserve for Justin Bieber.
When Cash’s wife is taken to hospital her parents decide the children should re-enter the real world and live with them. When the family reluctantly venture back into town to visit his wife’s sister, it becomes clear just how different the children’s are from those raised in town. This ends in a hilarious confrontation about what the Constitution means.
The movie touches on mental illness, love, and death but mostly provides a strong and interesting debate about education and what constitutes family. It is an honest, touching, funny exploration into alternative lifestyles and modern day life.
As I wandered back to my car I pondered:
- Mortensen is brilliantly believable as usual;
- The young actors step up to his level and you get the feeling you’re watching some future stars;
- Anyone working in education will love this one;
- There will be tears and laughter.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas. Showing from September 8th.
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