Wes Anderson’s 7th film, Moonrise Kingdom, was the perfect summer comedy, but don’t worry if you missed it this summer because in just 2 weeks it will be coming to DVD! Anderson has been directing movies for nearly 20 years, his most recent feature being Fantastic Mr. Fox. It is safe to say that he is one of the pioneering directors of this generation, recognized for a style all his own. Moonrise Kingdom does not fall short, but is the product of years perfecting his style. Not only are its themes powerful and engaging, but aesthetically, viewers are pulled through a world of enchantment. Set on the New England coast, everything from the costumes and props to the music just draws audiences in. Anderson is known to have an eye for detail, and he does not disappoint in Moonrise Kingdom. The opening sequence alone is worth watching over and over again.
In Moonrise Kingdom, we follow the story of summer love between two young teens who runaway to the woods together. Sam (Jared Gilman) is a khaki scout and falls in love at first sight with Suzy (Kara Hayward). While this may sound corny, Anderson uses a sentimentality that is not only hitting on comedic brilliance, using children to point out society’s childish misconceptions about love, but it is also pushing at deeper materials. A constant theme in Anderson’s movies is that wisdom and maturity are not found with age, but through experiences.
As a group of morally mixed up adults attempt to find the two runaways, we see that the path from childhood away from childishness is not through adulthood. Suzie’s parents, played by Bill Murray and Frances McDormand, get most of the town involved including the police captain (Bruce Willis) pressured by Suzy’s mom, with whom he’s having an affair. Ed Norton plays one of the most lovable characters as the Scout Master and is desperately trying to do right by Sam. With an all-star cast, Wes Anderson’s tasteful directing, and such a moving, yet comedic plot, Moonrise Kingdom is more than worthy of a Providence Christian College lounge viewing!