Monday, September 2, 2013

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom
[DVD Moonrise]

I haven't seen many Wes Anderson films, despite their critically acclaimed status -- I've missed both Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, but did enjoy The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. The the trailers for this one were quirky and attractive so I gave it a shot. Moonrise Kingdom is intensely quirky, filled with odd performances and a twisty plot. I was looking forward to seeing memorable performances from the adult stars, such as Bill Murray and Frances McDormand, but instead it is the youthful first-time actors who really steal the show. Bruce Willis and Edward Norton contribute a lot to the film's appeal, but it is Jared Gilman as Sam and Kara Hayward as Suzy that anchor this oddball film. Part of the film's charm is uncovering the plot as it goes, so it's hard to describe the film without spoiling it a bit. In a nutshell -- it's 1965, and two 12-year-old social outcasts connect, fall in love and run away together, all on a small New England coastal island. Throw in a well-meaning but slightly bumbling cop, two troops of scouts, and a pair of addled, legalese-spouting inattentive parents, and you've got a sweet, weird romantic adventure. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the other films of Wes Anderson.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Moonrise Kingdom web site ]


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