Dir: Wes Anderson
Writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
Starring: Kara Hayward, Jared Gilman, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray
I saw this earlier in 2012 the weekend it was in limited release (I love living in New York!), the day after being the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding. You could describe my best friend as whimsy and stylized in the same vein of Wes Anderson--she's a huge fan, of course. So it felt like a honor that on the weekend of her wedding, we were able to catch this movie, and that it turned out to be perfectly adorable, fun, and great.
The story of two young teenagers living on a fictitious little island off the coast of New England in 1965, Sam and Suzy are outcasts who find an attraction to each other as kids not accepted by their peers, adults, or their parents. Anderson's directing takes another step towards ultimate quirky sophistication, and I think he's grown considerably since his earlier works with this foray. His shots look like old '60s photographs as he pans across his characters.
I popped this in the player on New Year's Day--it was my first movie of 2013! It was a great way to welcome the new year, as I sat next to my husband delighted and laughing the whole time.
The Best: The moment Bill Murray takes off his shoe and throws it at Ed Norton's character is one of my favorites, but I have to give it to the leads Hayward and Gilman--from when they awkwardly meet each other to their 'playing house' on the beach.
Fact: The screenplay was just nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay!
Rating: ********** (10 out of 10)
