Moonrise Kingdom

This may very well be the greatest love story of all time. There are definitely some aspects that set this film apart from traditional love stories. For instance, the title characters are 13 years old. What does a 13 year old know? Apparently a lot when it comes to commitment and choice. This is the story of Sam and Susie, which in a few years should be as ubiquitous as Noah and Allie when one talks about love stories. I must admit I am biased right out of the gate with this film. This is one of those followings I tend to go head over heels for, and it has nothing to do with the film itself. It is the Writer/Director. Wes Anderson. He is a master of "his" craft. I say "his" this way because he makes films unlike anyone else in Hollywood. He shoots differently. Uses no frills or cheap tricks. All character driven pieces which all seem to come off very personal to him, and he makes no apologies for his work. The average movie goer may not like his style. It takes some getting used to considering it looks like it is shot with a Radio Shack camera in someone's spare time. Moonrise is set in 1965 which also plays well. He shoots this film in a sort of noir tone. Color tone that is, and it is perfect for dating it back some 40+ years. Sam does not fit in, and he decides to leave His Khaki Troop behind. On to bigger and better things. This is where we get a peer into the major plot of what is going on. On his journey he runs into Susie. This meeting is no accident. They are running away together. They both hate their lives and feel they can be happy together. The small water locked town sends out a search party for Sam, not even realizing Susie is with him. This is where Wes Anderson shines. His characters. Bruce Willis is the local cop who seems clueless, and yet is the most brilliant character on screen, besides the kids of course. Ed Norton plays the scoutmaster who "loses" Sam and this is one of his most earnest endearing characters he has ever portrayed. At first we think he might be a dick, but it turns out he is a really sweet guy who wants everyone to be happy. Then we have Susie's parents played by Bill "F*@%!ng" Murray (I know that's not his real middle name) and Francis McDormand. They are attorneys who I wished had more dialog with each other as it always came across very well, but alas this was a vehicle for the kids. With this all star cast of adults playing alongside a handful of kids no one has ever heard of, the kids stole the show. It is amazing. This is the ultimate coming of age film that speaks the way humans do. Not how Hollywood does. It is sweet and pure in every way. Everyone I know who has seen this has said it's his best film to date. Not for me. Personally it comes in 2nd, literally on the coattails of The Darjeeling Limited, but still one of the finest films you will see all year, and once it has the opportunity of a national audience on DVD, I believe it will grow the legs it currently does not have with such a minimal number of theaters taking a risk on it. I was pleased with the turnout for today's show. Noon on a Tuesday, there were 7 other people in there with me and that was spectacular to me. Oh ya, and Wes Anderson's muse, Jason Schwartzman shows up and also a surprising role from Harvey Keitel rounded it out. I loved it, and you may or may not. It depends on how you feel about Mr. Anderson.


NBM rates Moonrise Kingdom - A Cinematic Work of Art