Moonrise Kingdom

Some food, camping supplies, a record player, stolen library books and a kitten are what Sam and Suzy have to head out, live on their own, away from adult authority. Unfortunately for them, parents, police, and legal guardians find out about their getaway shortly after the kids "flew the coupe". They form a search party made up of Suzy's parents, the local law enforcement, the khaki scout troop Sam had been a part of and the Khaki scout leader. Both Sam and Suzy were considered troubled by adults, but found solace in one another. Wes Anderson creates a quirky story about first love and what people do to keep it. Our protagonists, Sam and Suzy, are children, but are serious and want to be adults. They run away together, get "married" behind their superiors back and are willing to die to be together. It is almost a witty adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, but with quirky situations and set in the 1960s. Although they address adult issues and try to fill the roles of the older generation, Sam and Suzy still show their age by yelling out their freedom and talk about super powers. Wes Anderson's style is in full swing in Moonrise Kingdom. The pacing follows the story, crescendoing at intense moments and slowing down at calmer situations. Most of the time the editing is quick, to go with the witty dialogue. In exciting sequences the editing has more fast cuts, for instance when Sam and Suzy are caught by the Khaki scouts in the woods the shot length gets shorter and shorter, building up to the conflict. Instead of showing the fight, it cuts to an abstract interpretation of it (a red arrow flying through the air). Suddenly it cuts to the aftermath, post retreat, literally cutting out time with editing. The quick-paced style of the movie builds suspense and tension. The straightforward shots were blunt and showed just what the viewer was intended to see, nothing else. This gave the actors a canvas to build off of and showcase their talents. Luckily, there was a star filled cast full of new and old actors, to do just that. Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman all brought their characters to full light with invoking performances. The framing was very geometric. It had bold lines and 90 degree angles. This gave clarity to the depth of the shot and the position of the character in that shot. Like a still photograph, everything was placed with a purpose. Anderson's cinematography and compositions are reminiscent of Piet Mondrian's painting, "Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow," which emphasizes the beauty of geometry, stark lines, and pure primary colors. Moonrise Kingdom uses rich vibrant colors, namely yellow, in it's cinematic filters. At some points there won't be any other color than shades of red or blue, such as when Suzy and Sam had set up camp on the beach. I found this style to be breathtaking and refreshing in comparison to the bland coloration of the generic blockbuster in theaters. Wes Anderson also incorporates unrealistic effects in Moonrise Kingdom, such as when the Camp Leader has to jump across a small river with a man on his back and clears it in one leap. Usually I do not like random special effects that are out of place with an otherwise realistic film setting, but because of the extreme visual style it does no look entirely unnatural. The dialogue was what drove the film to the extreme heights at which I now hold Wes Anderson's films to. It was witty, comical and somewhat obscure. The script does not lack attention to detail. In fact it is the small quip that has the entire theater chuckling in their seats. Most of the dialogue is quick, again in correspondence to the editing. It is easy to be swept up in the snappy retorts and the plot twists that are embedded in a fantastical world. The script is versatile. It can appeal to a broad audience and niche audiences all together. Moonrise Kingdom is a relatable story with reliable themes of love and rebellion. It is not just a film for the masses, because it appeals to the intellectuals and cinephiles due to style, banter and a myriad of references. Although some of the references and themes may have surpassed me on the 1st viewing, I will be happily watching Moonrise Kingdom over and over again. Indian Paintbrush presents a film written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola; Directed by Wes Anderson; Running time: 94 minutes; Rated PG-13 With: Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman