Wes Anderson Takes You
To “Moonrise Kingdom”
Reviewed by Shirrel Rhoades
Focus Features arranged a
special showing of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” for children’s author
Judy Blume. She invited me and fellow reviewer Ian Brockway to join her. “Why
do they want me to see this film?” she fretted as we gathered in the Tropic’s Taylor Theater. After it was over,
Judy said, “Oh, I get it. The movie was about children.”
And magically so.
The story takes place on a mythical
New England island where two youngsters have disappeared, setting off a search
led by the local police chief and a scout troop.
The two tweens –
bespectacled Sam (Jared Gilman) who smokes a pipe and prim Suzy (Kara
Heywood) who reads adventure books – had met the year before at a church play
and became pen pals. Wise in ways found only in Wes Anderson films, the
youngsters decide to elope, setting off across the island toward a secluded
spot, a pretty cove they name Moonrise Kingdom.
Their disappearance raises
an alarm.
With a bad storm
approaching, Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) organizes a search party. Led by a straight-arrow
scoutmaster (Edward Norton), the local troop joins in, more like a
bloodthirsty posse than a rescue team.
Being that Sam’s adopted, his
folks decide they don’t want him back. Suzy’s lawyer parents (Bill Murray and
Frances McDormand) pause in their dysfunctional marriage to worry about their
missing daughter. They consider her a “Very Troubled Child,” as evidenced by
a book she has found.
In their escape attempt, the
kids are assisted by larcenous Cousin Ben (Jason Schwartzman) and are threatened
by a follow-the-rules Social Services lady (Tilda Swinton) who wants to put
Sam into “protective custody.” But the police chief sees it differently.
A couple of star-crossed
love stories, storms, floods, lightning bolts from on high – you will be
hooked like a fish in the gentle waters of “Moonrise Kingdom.”
The film is narrated (sort
of) by a grizzled fisherman known as the Narrator (Bob Balaban), who shares
island history, weather reports, and sightseeing tips.
“Moonrise Kingdom” is
typical of Wes Anderson films (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Darjeeling
Limited”) – peopled with odd characters and off-kilter situations. Set in
1965, it’s almost like a childhood memory. A faded dreamscape. An offbeat coming-of-age
love story.
“Moonrise Kingdom” is
currently enchanting audiences at the Tropic Cinema.
Some moviegoers complain
that Wes Anderson’s films are “not realistic” and “precious.” Others see them
as “mannered” and “utter uncompromising stylishness.” Fans describe them as
“amazing,” “distinctive,” and “wondrous.”
“I want to try not to repeat
myself,” says Anderson. “But then I seem to do it continuously in my films.
It’s not something I make any effort to do. I just want to make films that
are personal, but interesting to an audience. I feel I get criticized for
style over substance.”
Written by Anderson and his
frequent collaborator Roman Coppola, this film is both familiar and
different. Their first period piece, but yet one where the characters transcend
the ordinary. It’s a minor masterpiece.
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Sam and Suzy longed for
an adventure of their own. They got it. And you can share it, this trek into
the fantastical world of Wes Anderson.
srhoades@aol.com
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