By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor
5/5
Wes Anderson’s latest, Moonrise Kingdom, was released in Canada on June 1. This is the first film since the beloved indie director’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and if time has proven anything, it’s that the fantastic Mr. Anderson only continues to get better at his craft.
Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two socially awkward children named Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) in 1965. The two experience love at first sight and conspire to runaway together one year later. Determined to let nothing tear them apart, they are constantly in pursuit by Sam’s Scout Master (Edward Norton), Suzy’s parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray), and a local, middle-aged cop (Bruce Willis).
Although not featured in the top bill, stars Gilman and Hayward not only flawlessly steal the show, they, to be as clichéd as possible, steal your heart as well. Their maturity and impeccable delivery make for a truly sweet and innocent romance. As for their more adult peers, Norton and Willis really are the most unique of the adults, struggling to be role models for Shakusky while at the same time finding themselves in what appears to be a mid-life crisis.
Abundant with Anderson’s typical gorgeous and painting-like cinematography, a superb cast, and hilarity all around, Moonrise Kingdom may very well be Anderson’s greatest film to date.
