Captain Fantastic: the American indie cinema, oftentimes, chooses to tell stories and portray characters that are colorful, off-kilter, almost caricatural; they can be efficient in defending their ideas, but at the cost of choosing the easier road. Such is the case of Matt Ross’ film; it’s touching and engaging, but it also suggests an artificial, manipulative, heavy-handed streak that can’t be shaken (the subtlest thing the film does is the choice of the beautiful locations). Acting is solid, but not spectacular; the veterans Viggo Mortensen and Frank Langella are efficient and low-key; in fact and to his credit, the director smartly avoids the excessive cuteness that sometimes plagues children acting.