Moonrise kingdom (2012)

 

Books, music, and no adults

Quick summary: Sam, a 12-year-old orphan, falls in love with Suzy, and the two run away to a secluded cove on an island, prompting the entire town to begin a search.

Genre: Romance/ Comedy            Time: 1h 33mins        Director: Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson movies are always magical and create their own little world and this is one of the cutest ones I have seen. 

Suzy, the heroine lives with her large family and Sam the hero, lives in a scout camp. The pair become Very Good friends and make a plan to run away together away from adults controlling their lives so they can live freely. The pair are very mature for their age, almost appearing in their late 50s, and converse on many topics that seem bizarre for their age. Although, the pair work and seem very natural together. They seem very comfortable with each other and act as if they have lived together for years.

They are very serious in their plan, sticking to it very closely almost as if it was life or death. Though, in the background conversations, there is a very dangerous storm on its way which gives a sense of danger to their plan. But there are very small blips of their naivety and clear signs they have rose-tinted views on life, which shows that they are still Teenagers that need room and time to mature.

There is a very sweet romantic vibe to this film, the color palette is bold yet very easy and warm to the eyes, focusing on greens and browns with a splash of red; giving a nice nostalgic feeling of when you were younger. I personally love how the grain gives it almost a polarized look which honestly really adds to the vibe.

You become very spellbound watching the story continue as concerned adults hurriedly look for the pair, telling their own little side stories as they go which really adds to the world that Wes Anderson has created. It's all very whimsical and artistic in how he approaches storytelling. His shots are precise in angles and color. As well as his iconic wide-angled side pan through an interior, I've always loved that.

There is a reflection between the teenagers and the adults; the younger pair has a very strong unconditional love towards each other and very much dream lead lives, meanwhile the adults show the sad side of growing up and apart from people, away from personal dreams. It expresses a familiar feeling of discontent towards life and the want to run away from it all, escaping reality. Though it does give a lighthearted nudge to how awkward being young can be as the pair share their first kiss and talk about subjects they don't know how to talk about.

It's all very charming and warm and reminds the viewer of the feeling of not fitting in during their youth, or the impatience towards growing up. There is a lot to love about it! I really couldn't fault this film, the pacing is wonderful as it simply takes you along at a nice gentle pace, almost as if you're reading from a children's storybook.  As well as this, there is a very deep emotional depth to this which will tug at a lot of people's hearts (especially adults). It's honestly so touching and mesmerizing to watch.

8.5/10

• "Even Smart Kids Stick Their Fingers In Electrical Sockets Sometimes"

• "I Love You But You Don't Know What You're Talking About"

• "Are you a lawyer? Because we are."