SVS: “The Castle”

“It’s the vibe.”

I watched the film I’m recommending today because Julie Davis and her relentless enthusiasm forced me to. She just insisted. And insisted. And insisted.

And she was right. It’s great. So now, I’m passing that enforcement on to you, gentle readers. But it’s a gift, not a burden. Really. You’ll see.

The Castle is streaming on NETFLIX INSTANT. And can also be found on YOUTUBE($) and GOOGLE PLAY($) (to name but a few of the rental options.)

When plans for an airport expansion threaten his home, a man refuses to move from his “castle” — in actuality, a shabby suburban tract house.

It’s one of those films where you start out by wondering if its creators are just poking mean fun at their subjects and end up by realizing that they really, really love them. Very droll stuff, and exceedingly quotable (as long as you can get the accent right).

But there’s something deeply true in there, as well — beneath all the dryness, the belly-laughs, and (occasionally) downright silliness. Something about a father’s role and the importance of recognizing that the gifts you’ve been given are often far more important than the goals you’re setting for yourself (and your family). I suspect I appreciate it more now that I’ve got an overrun/shabby “castle” of my own.

A spot of sort-of-unexpected (and mostly-unnecessary) language earns it an R, but it’s not a “Hard R,” by any means. Although, as IMDB warns us, it does feature a good bit of that  brutally moral corrosive, “the casual drinking of beer.” So be careful out there, people. Oh, and keep an eye out for the now-famous Eric Bana. Heh.

“And what Law are you basing this argument on?”

“The Law of bloody common sense!”

The Dish, from the same director, would make a brilliant double feature. Same charm and tone, in many ways, though the cast is more recognizable. Plus, it’s just an insane and undeservedly-obscure story. Netflix Instant is not an option for this one, sadly; not yet, at least. But it can be found on YOUTUBE($) and AMAZON($).

Attribution(s): All posters, publicity images, and movie stills are the property of Miramax and other respective production studios and distributors, and are intended for editorial use only.