Following Wes Anderson’s recent Academy Award victory for Best Short Film (Live Action) for his most recent creation ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ (2023), let’s take a look at some of Anderson’s greatest movies from his filmography past! Read on to find yourself convinced to watch another one of his fantastic films.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1970 novel of the same name, Wes Anderson’s 2009 adaption of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ is encompassed by his distinct visual style and quirky humour, bringing the tale of Mr. Fox to life in a charming and whimsical way. The plot follows Mr. Fox, who is voiced by George Clooney, who cannot resist his urge to steal chickens, ducks, and other produce from nearby farms. When the farmers try to capture Mr. Fox, he and his friends begin a daring adventure to capture their foes. The stop-motionanimation adds a unique and visually stunning aesthetic with meticulously crafted sets and characters. The clever dialogue and banter bring memorable moments through its voice cast including Meryl Streep Bill Murray and more bringing heart to the characters and the film itself.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
It is awhimsical coming-of-age film set in a fictional New England in the 1960s, with a story revolving around two young lovers who run away together, causing a search party and a series of quirky adventures. Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop bond over their shared feelings of isolation, with Sam being an orphan and Suzy being a misunderstood girl coming from a dysfunctional family. Their journey filled with Anderson’s trademark visual style that uses crafted sets, vibrant colours, and symmetrical compositions. This unique lens offers innocence, rebellion and a sense of nostalgia that blends humour, heart, and true charm.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Another visually stunning movie by Wes Anderson set in a fictional European Republic during an interwar period. It framed through a series of flashbacks as a writer (Jude Law) recounts his meeting with the hotel owner, Zero. Zero recounts his time as a lobby boy under the charismatic concierge Monsieur Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). When one of the guests murdered, a whirlwind adventure ensues. With Anderson’s vibrant colour palette and visual art, ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is a feast for the eyes, filled with imaginative storytelling, and a talented ensemble cast. Blending the elements of comedy, mystery, and adventure, it has no surprise it earned numerous awards and nominations.
The French Dispatch (2021)
Another rendition of Anderson’s offbeat storytelling, ‘The French Dispatch’, a film that is structured as a collection of interconnected stories, resembling the format of a magazine, inspired by the real-life French magazine ‘The New Yorker’. Set in a fictional French city in the 20th century, the film explores three stories featured in the magazine also called The French Dispatch, each depicting various eccentric characters and their unique adventures. This movie, like his others, showcases Wes Anderson’s artistic directorial style of symmetrical camera shots and vibrant scenes, exploring elements of art, journalism, and continued features of storytelling.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
‘Isle of Dogs’, another one of Anderson’s stop-motion animated films. Set in a dystopian future Japan, the story unfolds on an island called Trash Isla d. Where all dogs have exiled due to an outbreak of canine flu. A young boy Atari Kobayashi ventures to the island in search of his beloved dog Spots. Upon Atari reaching the island, he and the other dogs uncover a conspiracy involving the mayor and a plot to eradicate all dogs. The film includes themes of friendship, loyalty, government corruption and the bond between animals and humans. The memorable characters and visually stunning frames create a captivating experience while incorporating elements of Japanese culture.
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