Moonrise Kingdom
(2012)Comedy/Drama/Romance
94 Min.
PG-13 Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Some language (comparable to TV) and very brief sexual dialogue
Grade: A-
Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Edward Norton, Bill Murray and Bruce Willis (See full cast and crew)
A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, causing the organization of a local search party to fan out and find them.
I'm sorry it took me so long to see this film. It is simply delightful! This is a charming, quirky tale about two 12 year olds in love (as much as 1960s 12 year olds can be in love) who decide to run away together.
I'm sorry it took me so long to see this film. It is simply delightful! This is a charming, quirky tale about two 12 year olds in love (as much as 1960s 12 year olds can be in love) who decide to run away together.
What kind of bird are you?
I'm a raven.
It is the summer of 1965, there is a storm is bearing down on New Penzance
Island. The small New England island is home to a few permanent residences, and a seasonal destination for a troop of Khaki Scouts who camp in the lush green forests and golden fields. Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) one morning discoveres that the troop’s least favorite member, Sam (Jared Gilman), is missing. Meanwhile on another part of the island the Bishop family realizes their daughter Suzy (Kara Hayward) is also missing. The two pre-teens fell for each other the year prior during a
chance meeting, during a church pageant about Noah's Ark. 
They have now taken off on an adventure as young lovers (in books and movies)
are wont to do. Soon have half the
island searching for them. Small, sparsely populated
place that it is, the search party consists almost entirely of
the local constable, Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) and Suzy’s parents, Walt and Laura (Bill Murray, Frances McDormand).
Camp Supply Master, Cousin Ben
This is Wes Anderson‘s (Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums) latest film and it divides its time between
the kids on the run and their mostly adult pursuers, in this manner he
tells two sides of a story with equal amounts of humor, whimsy and pathos. It highlights the wide-eyed possibilities of youth and the harsh reality of adulthood.
“I love you, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sam and Suzy are the film’s lead characters, but are surrounded by a collection seasoned film veterans to help tell their story, however they do just fine on their own. The romance between the two is sweet,
awkward, cute, odd, funy and possesses a special innocence derived in part from its
sharp dialogue but also from these two young actors’. Both Jared
Gilman and Kara Hayward are making their film debut here, they could
easily labeled as precocious, but it wouldn't be quite accurate. They bring charisma and a very specific confidence to their characters’
actions so that you know they are motivated by real love. (Well, real love through the eyes of a twelve year old, at least.)
Rounding out the cast are Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel and Bob Balaban, each and every one of the adults are perfectly cast but the male trifecta of Willis, Norton and Murray do stand out. All
three highlight the regrets of a life not lived to the fullest, but
while the first two reveal characters down but not out of life Murray’s
Walt Bishop is a man who’s already let it all go. This film filled with
poignant and wise dialogue, at one point Murry's character wishes for the winds outside to rip him from
his bed, it is a quiet yet tradgic moment of despair.
 |
| Wes Anderson on the set |
Anderson's film’s dialogue, (screenplay co-written with Roman Coppola) has penchant for adults and children who speak in the
same manner, smart, wry, observant, and with the same cadence and
verbal expectations. It presents a world that exists just ever so slightly, outside of the real one, yet it's heightened nature never distracts from
of the characters or drama. Anderson is a very
meticulous filmmaker who ensures each second
of his films is precisely the way he wants. Teamed up with
cinematographer Robert Yeoman, the film is so artfully shot that many of
the superbly staged shots seem suitable for
framing.
Whether Moonrise Kingdom will win any new converts to the cult of
Anderson is yet to be seen, but his fans will be glad to see him back at the top of
his game. This film lives just outside the realm of reality while still
managing to appeal to the viewers’ heart and mind with its wit and genuine
emotion. It’s a beautifully-told story where Anderson’s eccentricities, like them or not, are never allowed to overwhelm it.
When we find him I'm not going to be the only one without a weapon.
Can you read a map?
The PROS: Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward shine in
their debuts; beautiful cinematography and shot composition; the film's script
filled with quirkiness, honest humor and sorrow
The CONS: A couple scenes of physical impossibilities go a bit too far; the entire film is too short
On the Side: This is Wes Anderson’s first live-action film not rated R. It’s PG-13.
The Cast
Sam Suzy
Captain Sharp Scout Master Ward
Walt Bishop Lorna Bishop
Social Services Lady Commander Pearce
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