Moonrise Kingdom is Wes Andersons seventh feature and I've seen all but one. In the past I've made little effort to see his films on the big screen, opting instead to catch them on DVD.
Anderson has a very distinctive style and approach to making movies - and there are similarities with each feature.
Anderson shoots things very specifically, as if shooting a stage play - all be it forever in flux. His characters (like his colour pallet) are bold and playful. When looking at Andersons body of work the lasting impression is that of innocence - a bygone era of intrepid adventure and unconditional love.
Assuming each Wes Anderson film is going to be the same is a trap I've fallen in to once too often!
Moonrise Kingdom is gorgeous and intoxicating! There is a familiarity to this world, yet the tale is wholly original.
Set in the 1960's, Moonrise Kingdom tells of the inhabitants of a New England island, specifically two young lovers named Suzy and Sam - played by Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman, respectively.
Suzy and Sam live at opposite ends of the island but keep in touch via hand-written correspondence. They soon conspire to run away together - meeting half-way between their homes, before setting off on an adventure of their own.
Meanwhile, their families and friends set out in search for them - pooling their efforts before the big storm hits!
I found myself smiling and laughing a great deal throughout this movie. The two young leads are charming and the supporting cast excel in their smaller roles. Bill Murray (a main staple of Andersons movies) is a little more unlikable here, yet still essential. Frances McDormand IS the quintessential mother. Edward Norton plays sensitive Scout Master Ward, while Bruce Willis upholds the law, as Police Captain Sharp.
Charming as they are, the two leads have more to do than play love-struck adolescents. Each character is quite troubled. Not in a Michael Myers/Carrie type of way, of course - more of a realistic/deeply affected by circumstance kind of way.
This is the films biggest surprise. Despite it's whimsy, Moonrise Kingdom tackles some interesting issues. It reminds us all how we used to feel - how we still feel. In this particular context, it makes us wish how we too shouldv'e camped out at the local beach with our first love - as only the movies can do!
It seems to me everyone has an opinion about when it's appropriate for others to grow, yet never an idea themselves. Essentially this film is about growing up - growing together, growing apart, growing old.
Surprise, surprise, there was more to this movie than initially met the eye. I'll be making a bee-line for his next, comforted by the fact I'll be seeing something familiar, yet new - not unlike hearing the latest from an old friend!
4/5
Poster image courtesy: www.collider.com
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