A fantasy rather than fantastic This film was overlong, largely because there was not enough subject matter to carry it along. The issues it did deal with it did so superficially and with little new.
The option of homeschooling was an obvious theme which was largely ignored (although if it gives rise to pretentious prats I'd avoid it).
Issues of how to live a moral life in an immoral society was also available and ignored.
The landscapes were beautiful. The acting was satisfactory. However, the cast were all stereotypes and caricatures and none had any depth.
The story was implausible with enough holes to make it look as if an ice- pick had been at it. Where did they get money, how did the father train in quantum physics and the arts, how can all the children of various ages do the same physical feats, how did they mesh their carnivorous fun with Bhuddism, how did they deal with sexual awakening, where did all the shop bought clothes come from, the list is endless ? ? ?
This is an American progressives' fantasy of life in the woods, just don't expect any depth or content