Captain Fantastic (2016) R 1h 58m
Written and directed by Matt Ross-Produced by Electric City Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures
2: Captain Fantastic: Flushing Expectations and Norms Down the Toilet
Episode Transcript
Episode Page with Pictures
Episode Host: Sarah Woolverton-MohlerCo-Host: Jennie Ziverk Carr
Screen Care’s host, Sarah, leads listeners and co-host Jennie through several themes she gleaned from the movie Captain Fantastic. First, Sarah categorizes Captain Fantastic as a "Thinking Movie", and discusses how Captain Fantastic is uniquely the kind of movie that challenges viewers to think deeply about many facets of life long after the film ends. Captain Fantastic is also a movie about Educating Children. We hear how Sarah felt that Captain Fantastic offered a lens through which to consider less conventional modes of education to her children, and encouraged her to parent with agility to meet her kids where they are. Lastly, Screen Cares digs into the theme of Living Authentically and the many ways the family depicted in Captain Fantastic challenges viewers to evaluation their own level of authenticity.
- A thinking movie: There are so many great movies out there and they all fulfill certain roles for us. Some are fun ways to escape the hum-drum of everyday life. Others offer a beautiful example of how film is a true art form. Still others transport us to different worlds, allow us to see different perspectives and different experiences. Captain Fantastic is the kind of movie that challenged our Screen Cares team to think deeply and this purpose felt unique and special.
- Educating children: If you have kids or have kids in your life that you care for, you’ll ultimately be faced at some point with deciding how you want your children to be educated. There are many ways to facilitate education, and education is vital! Sarah from Screen Cares felt that Captain Fantastic offered a lens through which to consider less conventional modes of education to her children, and encouraged her to parent with agility to meet her kids where they are.
- Living authentically: After going through a re-evaluation of her family’s priorities, values and needs, Sarah and her husband felt that they were not living in a manner that was authentic to who they are as people. Captain Fantastic depicts a family who strives for authenticity, and who realizes that our concept of who we are as individuals and who we are as a family unit may change from time to time.
Screen Shares Rating:
Buddy Screen
Love Screen
Co-Parent Screen*
*(This is not a normal Screen Cares Rating, but one which we felt best described the desire to share this movie with someone that you share parenting responsibilities and brainstorming with, even if you are not in a romantic relationship with that person.)
Screen Sparks:
- What unconventional choices have you made in your life to try to be the “master of your fate” or “captain of your soul”?
- Do you believe that the merits of society outweigh the issues?
- Do you feel that parenting should consider training for the real world, or training children to reshape the world?
- Do you have to choose all or nothing, or should extremes be avoided?
- Do you have friends who would question your choices in such a way that leads you to do more thinking?
- Do you prefer friends that cheer you on but who don’t challenge
