Bold and Marvelously Quirky

Rating: 9/10 (18 October 2012)

There are few films these days that take bona fide chances. Most productions coming out of Hollywood are formulaic, predictable, and saturated with commonplace. They rely on the same time-tested magnets--special effects, violence, some titillating romance, or toilet jokes.
Occasionally a movie comes along that breaks that pattern and changes our perspectives, The Artist being a fine example. Moonrise Kingdom not only takes chances, it does it with zeal. Daring is at the heart of this film. Start with the acting. Edward Norton is exceptional as the over-zealous Khaki Scout leader. Bruce Willis and Frances McDormand take infidelity to a new and hilarious level. And Tilda Swinton, what can you say about a character who refers to herself as Social Services? Every character makes us laugh, cringe, and simply, truly feel their personality. Now move to the screenplay, the use of maps, a narrator, impending hurricanes, social upheaval on a small island, and the anxious calm of young misfits running away from it all.
Films like this, the ones that can't quite be compartmentalized into neat genres, are incredibly difficult to bring off. Moonrise Kingdom does it with a boldness not soon forgotten.