The Case for a Lunar Realm

Wes Anderson films are always a little off centre and so quite alternative for a mainstream theatre, but nonetheless, I have seen his last two films at Readings and they have played to fairly large, if not full, audiences.

His latest film, Moonrise Kingdom, has had lots of praise lavished upon it and, to cut to the chase, deservedly so.  The story revolved around two kids who run away from home just as a major storm hits the small island on which they live.  So far, so Disney.  But the island is populated with kooky characters played by a very impressive cast, including Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis and the always awesome (even in Garfield… well, perhaps) Bill Murray.  And adding to the “but”, the two kids are very quirky in themselves, falling into an awkward yet touching love story as they appreciate their mutual oddness.

Every performance is impressive, even if the kids are meant to act fairly sanguine throughout.  There are no hysterics (from the kids at least) even though every main character comes with a sense that something is missing from their lives.  But, despite the monotone of some of the characters and the sadness that they bring with them, the film is awash with colour, quirky visual gags and a strong sense of humour of the absurd kind. 

All of which had the audience I was with cackling away, and even had a few people talking for most of the duration.  Normally, I would cast my pale attempt of a death stare the way of anyone who dares raise their voice for a conversation in a cinema and contemplate all sorts of means of inflicting physical pain upon them, but for some reason, it didn’t annoy me (well, not too much; occasionally) and my companions didn’t notice the conversations at all.  The film is not so intense that such distractions prove detracting, though still common courteousy should have stopped them from continuing to natter quite as much as they did.

And, with an odd but involving soundtrack, we even stayed in the auditorium until the very last part of the credits had finished rolling, all of us with smiles on our faces and a little bit of a bounce in our step.  Uplifting, in a very odd and pleasurable way.

Verdict:  The style of Moonrise Kingdom will not be a surprise to anyone who has seen the Royal Tenenbaums, but this film is a bit more satisfying than the last few Anderson films I have seen, Darjeeling Limited and the Life Aquatic.  The performances are all outstanding, and the central love story completely engaging, and its all… well, pretty wonderful.  9 books on a beach out of 10.