After watching Wes Anderson movies and reading Ian Nathan’s book, Wes Anderson the Iconic film maker and his work, it is clear how unique and talented this Texan born film maker really is. His films are known for their distinctive visual style, complicated protagonists and eccentric aesthetic. So if you feel like watching something a little different, here is a list of 5 wonderful Wes Anderson films for you.
1. Moonrise Kingdom
Unlike most Romances, the couple in focus are two troubled twelve year old runaways. With an orphan boy who escapes from a scouting camp to unite with his pen pal and love interest. Inspired from Wes Anderson’s first crush as a twelve year old. Based in 1965 on a made up island, this quirky romance highlights themes of fantasy, childishness and first love. A wacky twist on a classic coming of age.
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel
This is a period piece with a twist. Essentially the story recounts the owner of an ageing high-class hotel years of serving as a lobby boy. It has plot twists of stolen paintings, lusty widows, prison escapees and the stirring of fascism. With the elaborate setting of a 1930’s, 1862 and 1985 we are taken on a journey through time that you will not regret watching.
3. Fantastic Mr Fox
Based on well known author Roald Dahl’s comedic tale of a tail-less fox, Anderson created a fantastic stop motion with a cast of puppet animals. Whilst the plot is about a chicken stealing , over confident fox it is also a portrayal of eccentric families and a reflection of modern life. My favourite thing about this movie is the sound track which is upbeat and quirky.
4. The French Dispatch
Set in a fictional French city over the 50s and 60s and 70s, this is a multi layered love song to journalism and the exploits of a weekly magazine. Highlighting stories like a artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student riots and a kidnapping resolved by a chef. This film is one of Anderson’s most densely packed and structurally complex films, attempting to synthesise European history and the creative process.
5. Rushmore
This was Anderson’s second film inspired from his days at his private high school. This coming of age is a tragic comedy about an eccentric teenager who does a range of peculiar extra curricular activities. Such as the bee keeping society, to writing and producing plays. He stumbles in a love triangle with a pretty teacher of an elementary school called Rushmore. Considered one of Wes Anderson’s best films with a range of visual imagery, this is a must watch.
