Wes Anderson never seems to fail. Although each of his films have a similar quirky tone and recurrent cast similar to Tim Burton's films, Anderson's works never seem to reach the tacky status that Burton's have. Moonrise Kingdom, the most recent addition to the Anderson collection, is no exception. Despite a serving of sugar that borders on overdose, the film is artistically crafted and thoroughly pleasurable from beginning to end.
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| Moonrise Kingdom Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward and Bruce Willis Directed by Wes Anderson My Opinion: Not the star of his filmography, but definitely good. |
As with all of Anderson's films, Moonrise Kingdom is masterfully crafted, complete with a quirky script, picturesque scenery and fluid acting. The most notable performance is Edward Norton as Scout Master Randy Ward. Norton successfully engages the pathetic nature of his character with an alluring and redeemable charm. However, the child acting stood out thin compared to the ensemble cast: awkward moments with way too much squinting and blinking were frequent throughout. Regardless, Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman do not fail to deliver bountiful chemistry. Their love for one another is both sweet and thought-provoking. In his portrayal, Anderson captures the mystery of young love while refraining from provoking an attraction that is disturbing, given the age of the lovers. Rather than concentrating on their minor status, the audience indulge in their honeymoon-like rendezvous and root for their romance as their bond is tested.
Although the love between Sam and Suzy is wonderfully illustrated, I found myself wanting a deeper statement on the complexities of attraction and relationships. The young lovers clash against another relationship that seems to be falling apart (to which a conclusion never seems to be reached), yet rather than exploring the human psyche under the threat of a lost marriage, the conflict becomes moderately cliché. Personally, I was mesmerized by Anderson's portrayal of the human condition in past films such as Life Aquatic and Rushmore. By contrast, Moonrise Kingdom leaves the audience cooing over the precious lovers, but without much insight. Though the film certainly stands on a solid foundation, the innards are fairly basic. Regardless, the film is thoroughly entertaining and charming as always.
