Wes Anderson is undoubtably a visionary filmmaker, one who's style is instantly recognizable with its flat camera setups, dry humor, and quirky music. Moonrise Kindgom provides nothing less - a highly polished and efficient story of young love, family, and adventure.
The story finds us in an Anderson-esque New England setting somewhere in the mid 1900's. A young boy escapes from his 'Khaki Scout' camp in search of a girl he met a year prior. Having only talked through letters and postcards, the two have decided they are in love and set up a plan to run away to Moonrise Kingdom, a place they named and what will become their sanctuary.
This is, of course, trouble for the boy's supervisors and the girl's family, all of whom go searching for the young lovers as they flee on foot. Much of the humor is found in the actual settings and the commitment of the child actors to the seriousness of their roles. We forget these are young people as they disappear behind truly dramatic and oftentimes perfectly-timed performances.
The cast is exemplary, including Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Ed Norton, Tilda Swinton (whose character is simply named 'Social Services'), and Bill Murrary. For such limited release, this is truly a wonderful film through and through. Of course the film will have detractors, and the distinct style of Anderson is one that seems to polarize audiences. In a time when films aim higher and higher in scope, visual effects, and action, here is a small film that aims to be nothing more than the simplest of love stories.
(Awards potential: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography)
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