Captain Fantastic (2016)

Director: Matt Ross

Who's to tell what's right or wrong in this world? Does it make you weird if you choose not to follow the general rules? Lately, we've all been told to think outside the box and find uniqueness in everything we do. But how far can we go without raising some eyebrows? "Captain Fantastic" salutes this freedom of choice and puts the effects of consumerism and third industrial revolution into perspective.

Being a single parent for quite a while, Ben (Viggo Mortensen) or Captain Fantastic, which he was to his six children, would seem like a father-to-beat and adore when in fact, he was a nightmare to many other modern-day, conservative parents. Starting the day with an intensive workout and running through the forests, preparing meals from what's been hunted or gathered and finally having intellectual discussions and sing-alongs by the fire - that's the typical daily regime for Ben and his off-springs. No coke, no Internet, no supermarkets and school nearby. Sounds unrealistic in the modern-day world knowing the growing needs of consumers but that was their reality. 

I've been failing to reduce the time spent on the Internet for a year or so because I'd feel lost without checking my inbox or Instagram. I blame the humanity for bringing so much technology into our lives and making it nearly impossible to live without it. But Captain Fantastic somehow made it work. In a way, we have the right to choose our own path, a different from the one everyone's following. Or so we think. It's kind of what Katy Perry sings in her newest hit "Chained to the Rhythm". Even though we think we can make our own decisions, they are largely appropriated to what society expects from us.

"Captain Fantastic" attempts to show how little we actually need to lead a fulfilling life. Striving to become the best version of oneself and not trying to prove anything to others - Ben, together with his wife, created an alternative universe for their children where everyone learns to deal with the life struggles independently and makes structured decisions by themselves, no outer-world addictions or temptations. He managed to protect his world successfully when a family issue opened his eyes to the harsh truth. We can never fully alienate ourselves from the rest of the society, and sooner or later, we'll have to follow the majority even if it's completely against our better judgement.

The film also questions the ways children should be raised. Actually, why are alternative teaching methods or homeschooling seen as such damaging acts nowadays that only the most radical parents would follow? Of course, Ben's concept had kind of a utopian nature because let's be real, children would grow up one day and want to start their own families and I suppose, it's better to introduce them to the real world before it's too late. The film is full of funny situations in which the children get exposed to the modern-life realities and interact with the urban society (what's Adidas?).

All in all, the true magic of this film is the heartwarming relationships between Ben and Bo, Kielyr, Vespyr, Rellian, Zaja, and Nai (yes, they all had a unique name). I mean, the chemistry between them is exhilarating. Even I, a senior consumerist wanted to be a part of the Captain's family. It just felt simpler to live a life like this. No school tests or workplace drama. Besides, the passion and love for the children that Viggo put into the character, that's really something (I could imagine Aragorn being a father of this type). The focus here was on Ben's feelings and difficulties of parenthood. Letting things go and learning to deviate from one's own principles for the sake of others - that's not a sign of weakness but that of courage and maturity.

Having waited two years, Matt Ross finally succeeded in shooting an eye-catching (a postcard of Washington wilderness) and heart-touching story. "Captain Fantastic" is emotional, youthful, and fun and will take you far from the comforts of civilization. We haven't been there for quite some time, have we?