Institute History
Description
Ben (Viggo Mortensen) lives with his wife and six young children, isolated from society deep in the forest of the Pacific Northwest. A devoted father, Ben dedicates his life to transforming his kids into extraordinary adults. He immerses them in an academically and physically rigorous environment and instills in them a rare and primal connection to the natural world.
When a tragedy strikes, the family is forced to leave their self-created paradise. Suddenly the children must face the excitement and the perils of an unfamiliar outside world while Ben is compelled to reexamine his idea of what it means to be a parent.
Viggo Mortensen shines as the captain of this tribe in a fearless performance that is alternately playful and emotionally raw. Writer/director Matt Ross (28 Hotel Rooms), an accomplished actor himself, brings those skills to the table as evidenced by the fine ensemble work of his young cast. With Captain Fantastic, Ross returns to the Sundance Film Festival with a fascinating second feature.