“Captain Fantastic” follows off-the-grid family’s choices

What It's About: The first thing to know is that "Captain Fantastic" is not a superhero movie. Nor is it a modern-day "Swiss Family Robinson," where a wholesome family lives off the land.

An unusual tale, to be sure, this contemporary drama, sharply written and directed by Matt Ross ("Silicon Valley"), can't be easily described. But it takes on parenting and the choices people make to create their families, making a point about the values we're raised with and how we view the world from that lens.

Rules on clothes, food, language, playing video games, religion, philosophies and beliefs come into play during one unorthodox family's journey back into civilization and the effect of their upbringing.

Ben (Viggo Mortensen) is an unconventional father, raising his six children off the grid in the Pacific Northwest. He and his wife Leslie, a former attorney, have physically trained and educated at home in a rigid nonconformist way.

They appear to have more in common with self-sufficient survivalists or hippies living in a commune, and the tough dad seems to be as controlling as a cult leader at times.

But the mom, who suffers from mental illness, is away in treatment. After she dies, their isolated utopia is rocked.

Ben loads his shaggy brood into an old school bus named Steve, intent on attending Leslie's funeral in New Mexico, despite warnings to stay away by Leslie's rich dad Jack (Frank Langella).

Seeing the outside world makes the kids realize how sheltered they are. But this is the life they know and a parent they love.

Judging everyone's else parenting skills have practically become a blood sport in America, and there are plenty of opportunities to point fingers and snicker, for it does have comedic elements. But it's not intended to mock them.

Other more permissive parents view them as freaks, whereas Leslie's affluent father is harsher — leveling child abuse accusations and threatening to file for custody.

Can the children rally around their loving father, or should they live in luxury with the grandparents?

Performances: Viggo Mortenson hasn't been this strong since "The Road" in 2009, so it's nice to see him ferociously embody the multi-layered role of Ben, a flawed man trying to do the best for his family. He immersed himself as this candid anarchist-philosopher, even going the full monty.

Mortenson is at ease with the six child actors portraying his family, with George MacKay as the oldest son Bodevan impressive. He emotionally connects as a smart kid yearning for freedom to travel his own path.

Nicholas Hamilton is also memorable as rebellious son Rellian.

Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon") fills the stock rich dad character with some verve, and it's always wonderful to see Ann Dowd ("The Leftovers") on screen, no matter how small her role. Here, she is the loving, grief-stricken grandmother.

What Works: Three different homes are shown — the forest homestead, a suburban home and a McMansion in a gated community, and that tied the film together, giving it perspective.

What Doesn't Work: The movie kept its core values, but the conclusion is a little too much standard Hollywood sentimentality.

Basically, the old adage "Different strokes for different folks" is given a fresh spin. And as something different, it certainly provides interesting dinner-table conversations.

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 8:39 AM with the headline "“Captain Fantastic” follows off-the-grid family’s choices."