PG) Moonrise Kingdom
Focus Features.
PG Running Time: 93 Minutes. 4 stars out of 4. Moonrise Kingdom is the best film of the year so far. It is simple, lighthearted, quirky, clever, and outstanding. The film is from Wes Anderson who has brought many unique films such as Fantastic Mr Fox, Rushmore, and more. The film features a very large ensemble cast filled with many recognizable faces such as Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Frances McDormand...to name a few, but it is newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward who "steal the show." The film follow Sam Shakusky (Gilman) a young wilderness explorer type boy, and Suzy Bishop(Hayward) an average young girl struggling to be happy. The two meet at a concert, and call for each other by sending PENPAL like notes to one another. Sam makes a plan with Suzy to run away from his camp and her strict parents(Bill Murray, Frances McDormand) and spend there "youth together." Once they run away Suzy's parents, and Island Sheriff (Bruce Willis) go on a journey with the help of wilderness leader( Edward Norton) and Sams fellow campers, to find Sam and Suzy. I loved this film. It not only has humour, AMAZING performances from ALL actors, and a sweet story, but Anderson makes you care and fall in love with these characters. With all the teen romantic comedy type films being released lately, it was nice to see love represented in a calm, and simple matter. Moonrise Kingdom is visually dazzling, as Anderson is trying to recreate 1965. It also features a great ensemble cast, and believable characters. Yes, the story seems far fetched, but when you actually see the film you wish this was your story. As you spend time with Sam and Suzy, and encounter there budding romance, a smile is brought to your face. It is the feel good film of the year, and is one of the best too. |