Captain Fantastic 2016
Directed by
Matt Ross
Made by
Bleecker Street Media
Plot Summary
Ben Cash, together with his wife Leslie and their six children, leads a life immersed in the wilderness of Washington. Having once been vibrant anarchist activists, their disillusionment with capitalism and the American way of life has propelled them to impart survivalist skills, along with leftist politics and philosophy, to their children. They strive to cultivate critical thinking, self-reliance, and physical fitness, all while guiding them without the dependence on technology. Instead of celebrating traditional holidays, they observe unique occasions like “Noam Chomsky Day,” embracing the harmony of coexisting with nature.
Tragically, Leslie faces hospitalization due to bipolar disorder, a battle that ultimately concludes with her taking her own life. Following her death, Ben discovers that Leslie’s father, Jack, intends to conduct a conventional funeral, contradicting her wish for cremation. A tense phone call ensues, culminating in Jack threatening to have Ben arrested if he shows up. Initially, he decides to keep himself and the children away from the funeral, but a change of heart prompts him to embark on a road trip, revealing to the children the life that lies outside their secluded existence.
Their journey first takes them to the home of Ben’s sister, Harper, and her husband, where they are met with attempts to persuade Ben that the children require formal schooling. Ben stands firm on his belief that his children are more adequately educated than Harper’s kids. However, as the funeral unfolds, Ben and his children arrive only to follow through with Leslie’s will—a document that shockingly requests her ashes be cremated and flushed down the toilet. Jack’s disapproval leads to Ben being forcibly ejected.
As the story unfolds, doubt creeps into the minds of Ben’s children regarding their father’s methods and decisions. Rellian accuses Ben of neglecting Leslie’s mental health, while Bodevan confronts his father for not preparing them for the realities of worldly life. Displaying acceptance letters from prestigious Ivy League schools—gestures of Leslie’s nurturing support—Bodevan voices a desire for a different future. Meanwhile, Rellian contemplates living with their grandparents, who seek custody of the children. When Vespyr ventures to rescue Rellian from what she perceives as captivity, her reckless attempt results in a dangerously close fall.
Amidst feelings of shock and guilt, Ben makes the heart-wrenching decision to allow Jack to take custody of the children. However, that bond proves fleeting; the children, despite warm interactions with their grandparents, choose to reunite with their father. In a moment of solidarity, they fulfill Leslie’s request—exhuming her remains, constructing a ceremonial pyre, and ultimately flushing her ashes down the toilet at an airport.
As the narrative develops, Bodevan finds his own path, opting to travel through Namibia, while the rest of the family settles on a farm. The film closes with a poignant scene: the family gathered around the kitchen table, waiting for the school bus, hinting at the new chapters and challenges that lie ahead.
Timeline
Life in the Wilderness
Ben Cash, along with his wife Leslie and their six children, lives a purposeful life in the wilds of Washington state. They have turned away from traditional society, focusing instead on survival skills, self-reliance, and fostering critical thinking among their kids.
Leslie's Illness
The family's idyllic life is shattered when Leslie is hospitalized due to bipolar disorder. This illness weighs heavily on the family, creating tension as they navigate her mental health struggles.
Leslie's Tragic Passing
Despite the family's efforts to support her, Leslie ultimately takes her own life. This heartbreaking event leaves Ben and the children grappling with profound grief and confusion as they try to honor her legacy.
Conflict with Jack
Ben learns that Leslie's father, Jack, plans a traditional funeral, disregarding her wish for cremation. A tense confrontation ensues, with Jack threatening Ben if he attempts to attend the funeral.
The Road Trip Begins
Initially deciding to keep away from the funeral, Ben has a change of heart and embarks on a road trip with his children. This journey serves to expose them to the world outside their secluded life and the realities they have been sheltered from.
Visiting Harper
The family's first stop is at Ben's sister, Harper's house, where he faces pressure to enroll his children in formal education. Ben firmly believes in their unorthodox learning methods but is met with challenges from family who are concerned about the children's future.
Funeral Tensions
Despite initial reservations, Ben and the children attend Leslie's funeral, which quickly turns confrontational. Following through with Leslie's will, they attempt to honor her unique wishes, leading to a confrontation with Jack.
Children's Doubts Arise
As they process their mother's death, doubt begins to infiltrate the children's minds regarding their father's unconventional methods. Rellian and Bodevan express concerns about their upbringing and the path that lies ahead.
Custody Battle
In the midst of familial tension, the children contemplate moving in with their grandparents who seek custody. This moment highlights their internal conflict as they weigh their loyalty to their father against the allure of a more traditional lifestyle.
A Dangerous Rescue Attempt
Vespyr tries to rescue Rellian, believing he is trapped in a stifling environment. Her impulsive actions lead to a near-fatal incident, reminding everyone of the dangers that lurk both physically and emotionally in their current situation.
Final Decision
Confronted with the reality of his children's wishes and their bond with their grandparents, Ben reluctantly decides to let Jack take custody of the children. However, this arrangement proves temporary as the children yearn for their father.
Honoring Leslie's Wishes
In a powerful act of love and closure, Ben and the children fulfill Leslie's final request. They create a ceremonial pyre and flush her ashes down the toilet at an airport, completing a ritual that hearkens back to their unconventional life.
Bodevan's Journey
As the family adjusts to life away from their wilderness home, Bodevan decides to carve out his own path by traveling to Namibia. This decision marks the beginning of his quest for identity separate from his family's unconventional lifestyle.
New Beginnings
The film concludes with the remaining family members settling on a farm, symbolizing a new chapter in their lives. They gather around the kitchen table, waiting for the school bus, hinting at the challenges and growth that lie ahead.
Characters
Ben Cash (George MacKay)
Ben Cash is a devoted father and passionate advocate for an unconventional lifestyle. He embodies the ideals of self-reliance and critical thought, yet struggles with the aftermath of his wife's death and the changing perspectives of his children. His character illustrates the tension between adherence to personal beliefs and adapting to a world with different standards.
Bodevan Cash (Charlie Shotwell)
Bodevan is the eldest son who begins to question his father's teachings and expresses a desire for a more traditional life. His character development highlights the conflict between upbringing and personal aspirations, revealing the challenges of transitioning from a sheltered environment to the broader world. He represents the generational shift and the quest for identity.
Leslie Cash (Kathryn Hahn)
Leslie, though primarily seen through flashbacks, plays a crucial role in shaping the family's values and her tragic loss reverberates throughout the story. She is portrayed as a nurturing figure who inspires critical thinking in her children and exposes them to progressive ideas. Her struggle with mental health adds depth to the theme of grief within the family.
Jack (Frank Langella)
Jack serves as a foil to Ben, representing traditional values and the conflict between conventional mourning practices and the family's alternative lifestyle. His character embodies the generational clash and the tension between family dynamics, raising questions about authority and the meaning of family connections.
Setting
Time period
The film transcends a specific time frame, instead focusing on a modern context where themes of alternative living and family dynamics are explored. It reflects contemporary societal issues, including mental health and the traditional family structure, against the backdrop of a fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Location
Washington, Namibia
The movie is set primarily in the wilderness of Washington, where Ben Cash and his family live a self-sufficient and unconventional lifestyle. Rich in natural beauty, Washington's landscapes serve as a backdrop for the family's survivalist teachings and philosophical values. Later, the story expands to include Namibia, marking a significant turning point as Bodevan pursues his own journey.
Themes
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Family
The theme of family is central to 'Captain Fantastic,' highlighting the deep bonds and complexities within Ben Cash's household. The story portrays the struggles and reconciliations faced by a family navigating grief, differing ideologies, and the teachings of their unconventional upbringing. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of unity and choice in the face of adversity.
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Education
Education takes on a unique meaning in the film as Ben strives to teach his children life skills outside of the traditional classroom. He prioritizes critical thinking, self-reliance, and experiential learning over formal schooling. This theme raises questions about conventional education versus self-directed learning, especially when challenged by societal expectations.
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Grief
Grief is a poignant theme woven throughout the narrative, primarily stemming from the loss of Leslie. The family's journey reflects their struggle to process this profound loss while navigating differing views on mourning and remembrance. Through their unconventional methods, they seek closure, ultimately leading to a unique ritual that expresses their love and respect for Leslie.
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