Films like The Squid and the Whale.

The Squid and the Whale (2005) reads as Sombre, steady, measured comedy / drama, grounded in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

About Schmidt (2002) (2002) poster
1. About Schmidt2002

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Greenberg (2010) poster
2. Greenberg2010

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Margot at the Wedding (2007) poster
3. Margot at the Wedding2007

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Footnote (2011) (2011) poster
4. Footnote2011

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Daddy Longlegs (2009) poster
5. Daddy Longlegs2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

SubUrbia (1996) poster
6. SubUrbia1996

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Kings and Queen (2004) poster
7. Kings and Queen2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004) poster
8. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Listen Up Philip (2014) poster
9. Listen Up Philip2014

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Mississippi Grind (2015) poster
10. Mississippi Grind2015

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dark Horse (2011) (2011) poster
11. Dark Horse2011

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Mahjong (1996) (1996) poster
12. Mahjong1996

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Squid and the Whale’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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