Mustachian movie: Captain Fantastic

[2Cent]

Saw this movie last week. It's about a guy who lives with his kids in a forest in about the most extreme mustachian way possible. He raises his kids with vigorous physical and intellectual training. It really made me think, how much better off would my kids be if I train them more instead of just letting them play and have fun all the time. Anyone see the movie? I'm interested in your thoughts?

[N]

I thought there were pros and cons to the movie.
We homeschool our kids, and we follow a "radical unschooling" philosophy. (I mention that as background)

I thought the movie presented a family who was living a very extreme lifestyle, which is fine, many of us here are considered extreme! but my main issue was the isolation of the kids, the lack of social peers, and lack of personal choice in their own lives. Obviously, one of the parents was seriously mentally ill, and there were some secretive behaviors happening (not wanting to give spoilers). But the kids seemed to have no outside friends or much contact with the outside world.

The end of the movie (SPOILER) goes too far in the opposite direction. There is a middle ground! My kids do not go to school, but we are a part of a large community of other homeschoolers, not to mention, friends, family, neighborhood. My kids take classes, participate in social events, and have access to many resources. My kids have an enormous say in their own activities.

I liked the performances, I thought the conflict between the family and the mom's family was interesting and sometimes funny, and sometimes really really sad. And, hey, I got to see naked Viggo Mortenson, full frontal! Nice!

[2Cent]

Yea, the isolation was something to think about. Why learn 6 languages if you can't understand culture. For me the big difference with unschooling was that usually it focuses on letting the kids play and be free while they learn, but he really pushed his kids beyond what they liked so they could attain excellence. Thinking about this I would have though it was really nice if I had learned a ton of skills as a kid. I spent a lot of time having fun, which I guess taught me some things, but it was not really efficient. And actually learning to be great at something is actually the kind of fun that is more fulfilling.

[arebelspy]

Sort of Mustachian ideas (in terms of badassity by the family), but that doesn't make a good movie. Good premise, okay setup (about 20% of the way in), very disappointing middle and conclusion. Maybe a 2/5.

Good critique on their lifestyle, N. Totally agree.

[shelivesthedream]

I enjoyed this film a lot. I thought it presented a complex picture of the family and their lifestyle. I did find the ending a bit schmaltzy (and was REALLY pissed off that eldest son did not go to college - that would have been a great opportunity for meeting the world halfway and allowing him to develop his own identity outside his crazy-ass father's world) but I think it did a good job of showing what the parents hoped it would be like and the reality of trying to mould your family that way.

[2Cent]

Agree. It would have been nice if it was about the kids moving in with their grandfather and adjusting to normal life. Now most of the movie was about the father having to defend the upbringing he chose for his kids who are getting exposed to outside influences.

[Eric]

I enjoyed the movie and think it's worth seeing.  I wouldn't view it in the realm of something that would actually occur.  It's a Hollywood fantasy type flick, the radical and his kids come back to society type thing.  A number of parts were kind of overdone, but nonetheless it was still enjoyable.  I'd recommend it.