Serious Movie Lover

MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012/IN SELECT THEATERS)   If you are a fan (like me) of Wes Anderson and all his films (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums, Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox), you are in for a big treat with his latest, semi-autobiographical movie about young love, rebellion and adventure.  Written by Anderson and Roman Coppola and set on the fictional East Coast island of New Penzance during the summer of 1965, the story centers around two 12-year old misfits, Suzy Bishop and Sam Shakusky (played by fabulous newcomers Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman).  Sam and Suzy plot their escape from their respective lives through a series of “pen pal” style letters.  Sam, “resigning” from Camp Ivanhoe, is a well-trained Khaki Scout, pursued by his earnest Scoutmaster Ward (Edward Norton) as well as by the Island’s laid-back Police Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis).  Suzy is the “troubled child” of eccentric married battling lawyers Walt and Laura Bishop (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand—both perfect of course), whose family also includes three younger triplets (boys). Making appearances in smaller roles are no less than Harvey Keitel as the Scout Commander, Tilda Swinton as “Social Services,” Jason Schwartzman as “Cousin Ben,” and Bob Balaban as the Weatherman/Narrator.  Add to this fabulous ensemble Sam’s fellow Khaki Scouts (with wonderful names like “Lazy Eye”), picture perfect settings and incredible music, and you have a wild and crazy movie that is something of a cross between Peter Pan and the Royal Tenenbaums.   I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to run out to see it again.   Don’t miss this one!

Grade:             A+

BTW:  Both books and music play a big part in the film.  Be sure to stay for the end credits to hear an “Introduction to the Orchestra” interpretation of Alexandre Desplat’s score.  And watch for artwork credit behind the fictional books read by Suzy in the film.