[Review] Captain Fantastic: "Detached" Education? Or Are We Too Worldly?

In October, my friend and I watched two films at the Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong. One of them was Swiss Army Man, which I quite liked. At the time, Captain Fantastic was also showing, but I didn't get to see it. Now, with the film officially released in Hong Kong, I finally had the chance to watch it.

Captain Fantastic tells the story of an educational experiment, one that seems to belong only in the world of cinema. The story begins with "Tiger Dad" Ben training his children in the forest and performing a "coming-of-age ritual" for his son: having him kill a deer. This scene has little dialogue, only mud-covered Ben and his children ambushing and attacking in the forest. Without knowing more, one might think they are watching a primitive warfare film. To the average viewer, these children are indeed wild: brave, without formal education, isolated from the outside world... The film uses a road trip movie approach to narrate their experience of "going to town."

Indeed, every one of them is a survivor. They train daily: running in the mountains, rock climbing, fighting... Their physical abilities are far superior to those of ordinary people. Despite this, they are not uncivilized; they have read many books, understand numerous scientific and philosophical theories, and possess more knowledge than the average person. However, living in the wilderness has also made them unaccustomed to communicating with "normal people" and unfamiliar with living in "normal society." Having long lived in their "utopia," they have existed in their ideal world, never having truly experienced the realities of society. Therefore, one could say they are very "detached."

I remember a friend once told me that whether one is "detached" depends on one's definition of "grounded." While we might call this family "detached," they might feel that we are too worldly. In the eyes of most people, Ben's approach is crazy and constitutes child abuse. However, it is undeniable that this education has made them very healthy, strong, able to survive in harsh environments, and incredibly knowledgeable. The comparison between Ben's nephew and daughter in the middle of the film left a deep impression on me, as did Ben's direct and straightforward parenting style. It highlights that under Ben's education, the children truly understand what they learn. One of my university professors once criticized, much like Ben, that many students nowadays prefer to use superficial terms to express ideas, lacking precision, specificity, and analytical ability. Therefore, while watching this film, I couldn't help but compare Hong Kong's education system with Ben's approach. Hong Kong's education system has always been exam-oriented, with most primary school students striving for good test scores to get into a good secondary school; secondary school students work hard for public exams, hoping to get into a good university. In university, students also have to start planning for their future careers... Do we study hard and learn to cope with future needs, or to pursue knowledge and enrich ourselves? Some might say, "Why not both?" But under such an education system, who can truly do both simultaneously?

However, Ben's approach makes his children unable to communicate with others, making it difficult for them to integrate into society. Moreover, Ben's family's lifestyle also leaves them lacking money, unable to survive in real society, and easily oppressed by the powerful. On this point, the film also seems to critique the existing social system, and even capitalism. Are they too "detached," or are we too worldly? I believe every viewer has their own answer.

Captain Fantastic explores many issues related to education and society, but its main focus remains the family's emotional bond. Their primary purpose for this "trip to town" is to attend the deceased mother's funeral and fulfill her last wishes. During this process, Ben's six children face urban realities for the first time, leading them to question their own values and their father's educational methods. For these children, this journey is a coming-of-age experience. For Ben, this journey also prompts him to reflect on whether his educational approach is truly the best for his children. In most cases, parents always feel that their methods will always bring the best to their children, but sometimes they should also learn to "let go." Furthermore, will the outside world's impact cause this family to split apart? Even though the film delves into many profound issues, what it ultimately speaks to is family relationships, love, and forgiveness.

Honestly, Captain Fantastic isn't a particularly moving film, nor does it have any deliberate tear-jerking moments. I even felt that Ben's reunion with his children after their separation was a bit rushed, making it hard to feel moved. Later, their collective ceremony of cremating her body and pouring the ashes into a toilet, while seemingly comical, had a very touching effect on me: because after enduring so many hardships, they finally worked together to complete their "mission" and fulfill their mother's last wish. Additionally, I highly appreciate the film's philosophical dialogues, and I was deeply moved by Ben's line to his wife, "I belong to you." At the same time, I also really liked the protagonists' colorful clothing. Life should naturally be full of color, and a child's life should be especially vibrant.

As for the actors, Viggo Mortensen, who played the protagonist Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy over a decade ago, perfectly embodies the "Tiger Dad" in this film, fulfilling the advice he gives to his eldest son before their parting: gentleness, care, and adventurous spirit. From a strict and demanding father at the beginning to the tenderness he shows when reflecting on his actions later, Viggo Mortensen perfectly conveys every emotional nuance. No wonder he earned nominations for Best Actor at multiple film awards and is considered a strong contender for next year's Oscars. It's worth noting that he looks significantly younger than his 58 years! As for the younger actors, I felt that not all of them were equally outstanding. The ones who left the deepest impression on me were Ben's eldest son, Bo, and youngest daughter, Nai; the former brought a lot of humor to the film, and his demeanor effectively conveyed the character's honest yet sincere emotions; the latter was incredibly cute and endearing.

Captain Fantastic might not be my favorite or most moving film of the year, but in a period when citizens are full of doubts about the education system, the reflections it provides are even more powerful and meaningful.