Captain Fantastic: a review

Captain Fantastic is a film that unites both sides of the education debate to see their views reflected on screen. Advocates of homeschooling and unschooling point to the children's intellectual development, broad knowledge, and capacity for independent thought. Supporters of traditional schooling, by contrast, emphasize the children's social isolation and difficulty navigating the wider world.

The children’s educational program proceeds by intense reading and open discussion without the formal assignments or homeworks. The children moreover are left to self-direct their reading and follow their interests with Ben Cash, the father, serving in an advisory role. This is largely beneficial for the students with a famous scene contrasting the children with a typical child who pales in comparison with limited interests or hobbies or reading.

Ben Cash’s approach emphasizes personal responsibility and interests, the children are required to be self-sufficient, and are allowed to intrinsically learn from their interests and allowed to critically think. The main problem with Ben’s approach is his obsessive isolationism which results in stunted social skills for his children though Ben's approach could probably succeed exceptionally well if he were to simply allow his children more interaction.

The film's central tension arises from this contrast. The same environment that fosters intellectual independence also contributes to social difficulties. Rather than presenting an unqualified endorsement or condemnation of Ben's methods, Captain Fantastic invites the viewer to consider what is gained and what is lost when education takes place largely apart from society.

That’s what makes the movie great: either way it encourages discussion and pushback on school, an institution which in the United States has escaped criticism despite major failures. The movie to me emphasized my view that the problems with the current system are structural rather than a lack of investment.

Perhaps, an optimal school system would include self-directed reading along with guidance from parents and adults along with some emphasis on core areas taught in an engaging manner. The rest of the time could honestly be devoted to the student’s interests. The intellectual curiosity of Ben’s children need not be without social interaction while retaining their independence.