The only word I can think of to describe this week's film is "beautiful." Virtually every frame of the movie looks like it could hang in an art museum. When I look at it, I just want to step into it and be in that space. I realize this is a trait of all of the films made by this particular director (even the animated ones), but, for some reason, this is my favourite of his and the one I've watched the most. In fact, I think I'll watch it again after I finish writing this.
When I first saw the trailer for the film, I could tell just by the camera movements that Wes Anderson directed it. His films all seem to have a certain stylized look about them. It's that look that always seems to draw me into his films. He always seems to combine that look with a clever script--which he also writes or co-writes--and great actors. I would love nothing more than to be an extra in one of his movies.
W.C. Fields allegedly said, "Never work with children or animals." Anderson, however, seems to be quite good at working with both, particularly in this film. Set in September of 1965, the story focuses on Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop (played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward respectively--both making their acting debuts at the age of 12). Sam is an orphan who has difficulty relating to those around him and has escaped from his scout camp to run away with Suzy who also has difficulty relating to those around her, particularly her attorney parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray). Using Sam's wilderness survival skills that he learned as a Khaki Scout, the two escape to a small cove on the far end of the island they inhabit, all the while pursued by the adults in their lives including the island's lone police officer (Bruce Willis) and Sam's Scoutmaster (Edward Norton).
Like a lot of Anderson's films, it's easy to forget that the locations aren't real--they're more of an alternate universe version of some place we know to be real--in this case an island just off the east coast of the United States (the film was actually shot in Rhode Island which helped contribute to the film's overall appearance). There is no Island of New Penzance or St. Jack Wood. There is no U.S. Department of Inclement Weather or Khaki Scouts of North America. But watching this movie kind of makes me wish these things did exist. The one thing that is real is the emotional connections between the characters. Anderson's films often remind us of how good it can feel to be in love. This week's film also reminds us of how good it can feel to be young and in love.
Released in 2012, co-written with Roman Coppola (the two got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay), and co-starring Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, and Bob Balaban, this movie also has a great soundtrack which made me fall in love with the music of Françoise Hardy and Hank Williams. This week, from the bottom of my heart, I recommend Moonrise Kingdom.
Until next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock and roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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