Review of "Moonrise Kingdom"

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.

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.

The film follows the journey of two troubled twelve year olds who find salvation in each other. Sam is an orphan spending his summer in Troop #55 of the Khaki Scouts. Suzy is the rebellious daughter of well-to-do parents. Her passions include reading and looking through her magical binoculars. The two children become pen pals and decide to run off together. Their journey spawns a romance that reaches levels of maturity that are often absent in films about adult romance, at the same time accurately depicting what it's like to feel tingly with young love in the seventh grade.

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.