Moonrise Kingdom * * * *
Director: Wes Anderson.
Screenplay: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola.
Starring: Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Jason Schwartzman, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bob Balaban, Larry Pine, Eric Chase Anderson.
When viewing Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, the usual adjectives spring to mind; Quirky, off-beat, idiosyncratic, original. It’s all of these things and further confirmation that this man has a unique style all his own and (thankfully for his fans) he doesn’t seem in the mood for changing that anytime soon.
In a small New England town in the 1960’s, young boy scout Sam (Jared Gilman) decides to run away with local girl Suzy (Kara Hayward). As a result, his Scout Master (Edward Norton) organises a search party and teams up with the Sheriff (Bruce Willis) and the young girls parents (Bill Murray, Frances McDormand) to track them down.
This is a very strange little film indeed and possibly one of Anderson’s strangest which is saying something. However, it’s also proof that the king of quirk hasn’t lost his touch. His pallet is once again sumptuous and his attention to detail meticulous – to say the least. The whole film is painted in vibrant pastel and autumnal colours and there’s a sharpness and texture to his images. Quite simply, the film is gorgeous to look at and special credit must go to Anderson’s regular cinematographer Robert Yeoman in his ability to capture such a magical land. Ensemble casts are also becoming a regular feature of Anderson’s works and this is no different. He’s amassed a very impressive collection of top-quality performers here and every one of them are excellent. A number of them play against type with the most memorable being a melancholic Willis and an ingenuous Norton; Murray and McDormand are no slouches either and deliver their usual reliability – as does Swinton – but the likes of Schwarztman and especially Keitel are given very little to do. Ultimately though it doesn’t really matter about the familiar faces onscreen as it the young actors that impress the most. The two young leads in Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward are superb and fine support is given by the young boy scout crowd. Much like Alan Parker’s “Bugsy Malone“, it’s entertaining to see youngsters behave with grown up mannerisms yet despite it’s nature it’s never played for laughs. Most of the actors play it straight which adds a deeper sadness to this, deceivingly, lighthearted tale. Beneath it all though, it’s essentially a right-of-passage story as it focuses on the progression from childhood to adolescence while on the periphery delivers an effective contrast in the disillusionment of adulthood. Despite it’s air of sadness though, it’s the charming innocence and wonderment that shines through. It’s yet another thoroughly enjoyable Anderson adventure but somehow it didn’t resonate as well as his previous films. Maybe I was expecting too much or maybe it will grow on me like “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou” did after a couple of viewings. As much as I had fun with this, I think I will have even more second time round.
As a self confessed Anderson fan, even I wasn’t fully prepared for his overstated quirkiness here but that aside, this is still an accomplished piece of work.
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
September 28, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Excellent write up. I really need to give this on a watch.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Cheers Vinnie. Its ceraintly worth some attention. If you’re an Anderson you should really like it.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Great review, just saw it recently and although I’m not a big fan of his work I really loved this movie. Like you say it looks beautiful.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:18 pm
It is indeed a beautiful looking film man. It’s surprising that you’re not a fan of Anderson but enjoyed this. I thought it was very typical of his style and in keeping with his previous films.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm
The only two others I enjoyed were Fantastic Mr.Fox and Darjeeling, the others I just couldn’t get into at all…
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September 28, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I’m with you on those two Nostra. Darjeeling and Mr. Fox are two of my favourites from him. I also really liked Tenenbaums. I like them all actually but those are top three for me.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Ah Moonrise. This is one of my favorite movies of the year. You mentioned so many things that resonated with me. I remember leaving the theater anxious to see it again. Nice write-up bro.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I can’t wait to see it again Keith. It doesn’t compete with The Darjeeling Limited for me but I have a feeling this is a film that will grow with several viewings. It certainly is one of the better films of this year.
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September 28, 2012 at 2:36 pm
I loved Willis in the movie. Shows his range. Also provided several big laughs.
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September 28, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Willis was good. Normally he’s just giving his usual old routine but it’s great to see him try something different now and again. Norton was standout as well.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Great review mark. I was really disappointed I missed this during it’s short run at my local cinema, so i’ll definitely make sure I pick it up when the Blu ray hits.
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September 28, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Cheers Chris. It’s a great little film. Very strange but if you know Anderson then you know exactly what you’re getting.
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September 28, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Saw this with my kids over the summer and we loved it. Fine review, Mark.
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September 28, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Thanks Michael. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see it again. Anderson’s such breathe of fresh air in his creativity.
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September 28, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Magical Realism. Seemingly real but not quite right. Somethings missing. We’re meant to see things through Sam and Suzy’s barely teenage eyes but I see the adults view. The Bishop’s live in a lighthouse, Ward lives in a tent and dresses in a boy scout uniform, Capt. Sharp can’t believe what’s happening on his island yet is fully ready to adopt Sam and society’s over-all purveyor is known only as “social services”. Something’s missing. What they’re missing is what Sam and Suzy are experiencing. Young love and innocence. For me it recalls Nabokov’s “Lolita”, not the sex you pervert, the never ending hopeless search for first feelings lost forever!
Not quite the “Royal Tannenbaums” but still magic.
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September 28, 2012 at 7:12 pm
I actually thought the story was very simplistic when you boil it down Ray but it the manner in which Anderson tells it that makes it stand out. There was something, and I couldn’t tell you what, that was missing. As I mentioned in my write-up, it didn’t resonate with me as Anderson’s stuff normally does but I still greatly admired it.
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September 28, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Great review, though I disliked this one. It seemed very empty and the emotions between the young couple and especially the connection they were supposed to share weren’t well portrayed, due to the lack of character development. I did love Willis and Norton, though, they should play against character more often.
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September 28, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Sati. I can understand people not liking this one and also understand your feelings in character development but it had so much style and off-beat humour that I found it hard to resist. The performances were excellent right enough and it’s great to see Willis and Norton step out their comfort zone.
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September 28, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Man, I so badly need to see this movie!
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September 28, 2012 at 7:16 pm
I felt the same way up until the other day Ryan. Glad I can finally cross it off the list now.
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September 28, 2012 at 6:22 pm
I hated this one. This film was a perfect embodiment of style over substance…and not even admirable style. Subplots were completely dropped (what happened to the cheating wife of Bill Murray), characters completely wasted (Tilda Swinton and Jason-camp-director-dude), and it had quirk just to be quirky.
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September 28, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Strong views there Alley but your entirely entitled to them. You could be right on it having quirk just to be quirky and I know Anderson doesn’t always appeal to everyone. I find his films really refreshing though. I wouldn’t say this is his best but it was still very good.
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September 28, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Great review. This has been my second favorite film of the year after The Master. I think this is the strongest of Anderson’s work, and he’s made plenty of great movies.
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September 28, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Thanks man. It’s certainly one of the years best so far but I also feel it’s been a poor year. That shouldn’t take away from this little treat though. The Darjeeling Limited is still my favourite of Anderson’s and I’ve yet to see him make a bad film. This only confirms to me that the man can do no wrong.
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September 28, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I enjoyed this one more than I thought, but in hindsight I think I like Fantastic Mr Fox more. Like Keith said, I like Bruce Willis in this too, he’s often good in a more understated performance. Bill Murray is a bit underused as well but hey, he’s in sooo many of Wes’ films so it probably isn’t a big deal 🙂
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September 28, 2012 at 8:36 pm
I prefer Mr Fox as well. I think I was expecting a little more from this one but I suspect I’ll enjoy even more when I see it again. Willis was rather good though wasn’t he. They were all good really but I agree that Murray wasn’t used to best of his ability. Still, it just a pleasure to all these actors share the screen.
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September 28, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Still so pissed I havent gotten to see this yet.
Oh well, just a few weeks more and it’ll be out on Blu Ray 😦
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September 28, 2012 at 11:02 pm
I’m surprised to see you swinging by if you haven’t seen it yet Fogs. I thought that was one of your rules? Or did you not bother to read it? LOL. Either way, it’s always good to have you around. 🙂
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September 28, 2012 at 10:49 pm
One of the best movies of the year and I only hope that Anderson keeps this winning-streak alive and well and doesn’t give us crap like The Life Aquatic. Hopefully, though. Nice review Mark.
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September 28, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Cheers Dan. I actually liked the The Life Aquatic but it took me a couple of goes before I finally appreciated it. I thought it was shit the first time but it grew on me over time. I’m with you on Anderson winning streak though. He’s delivering the goods regularly. Long may it last.
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September 30, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Haven’t seen that but I’m going to watch it later this morning, after camping out in WordPress blogs, because I really like Edward Norton. This is a work of his that I missed.
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September 30, 2012 at 7:54 pm
I’m also a fan of Norton Russell. I’ll tend to give any film he’s in a chance. He’s great here and shows nice comic touches. If you enjoy Anderson’s stuff then this is certainly worth it.
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September 30, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I couldn’t find it available for streaming this morning, but I did watch “Rounders” with Norton and Matt Damon. Excellent movie.
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September 30, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Great little film man. I loved Norton in Rounders. “Worm” what a great name for his character.
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September 30, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I couldn’t find it available for streaming this morning, but I did watch “Rounders” with Norton and Matt Damon. Excellent movie.
I found out today that Wikipedia is a great place to go to find someone’s complete film, TV, or recording works.
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October 1, 2012 at 5:29 am
Great review, Mark. I agree that the Anderson quirkiness can sometimes be a bit much, but I’m really looking forward to this one.
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October 1, 2012 at 11:26 am
Thanks Fernando. His quirkiness does go into overdrive here but it’s still a little treat.
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October 1, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I’m glad his campy style (no pun intended) was on full blast here, I don’t think it would have worked very well if he dialed it back.
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October 1, 2012 at 7:32 pm
You’re probably right there Andy. I don’t know why I wasnt fully prepared for it though. Still, I have a sneaky feeling that I might just rate this film higher when I see it again.
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October 1, 2012 at 7:35 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised
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October 1, 2012 at 9:59 pm
It’s quirky and has a very dry sense of humor but I didn’t think it was over-the-top as such. One of my favorite films of the year so far.
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October 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm
I’d also rate it as one of the best of the year Castor. Like I’ve said to a few others, I think I’ll rate this even higher on a second viewing. Originally I never took to The Life Aquatic but I love the film now. Normally I take to Anderson straight away and I did here but I just felt that some of the praise beforehand that it’s his finest film left me with too many high expectations. Thanks for commenting Castor. A pleasure to see you here.
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October 2, 2012 at 4:59 pm
It was gorgeous to watch and I also loved the music! Sadly my theatre lit the lights way too early, as the after texts started. It was just me and a handful of others who stayed and enjoyed the final piece of music.
This film is very likely to end up at my top 10 this year, even though the competition will be fierce.
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October 2, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I’ve yet to see a lot of stuff from this year but I too believe it’ll make my top ten Jessica. I’m looking forward to another viewing of it though. I think I may have missed some subtleties. As always with Anderson’s films there is more when you sit down to them again.
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