A endearing film with beautiful visual storytelling

Rating: 9/10 (8 March 2018)

Moonrise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson, is a beautifully shot and acted movie about self-discovery and acceptance. Mr. Anderson is a critically acclaimed director who was nominated for six Academy awards and won numerous other awards, including the BAFTA award for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Moonrise Kingdom, nominated for best original screenplay, stars two 12 year olds, finding their bearings among a small island community. They run away to be with each other; escaping those who misunderstand them.
The theme of freedom and self-discovery shows in a scene where the two kids, Suzy and Sam, finally reach their destination: a beach they name Moonrise Kingdom. There, they remove their clothes and jump into the water, representing washing away what they used to be and becoming who they want to be. After this, they seem to open up more, dancing and even just enjoying each other's company. This supports the concepts presented because until this scene, they were running from everyone unable to fully relax, but here they can be themselves.
The plot succeeds with the main focus, Suzy and Sam. The chemistry between the characters is believable and sweet, because they are very serious about each other. For example we learn they were pen pals and over the course of the letters they bonded over shared experiences. Their relationship seems odd, but not to them. Both act mature for their age; perhaps because they are outsiders in some way, Sam is an orphan and Suzy is seen as a "troubled child". The part of the plot that didn't work for me were the scenes with a narrator. Neither the narration nor the narrator have a real purpose and don't reveal anything the viewer could not figure out on their own. It sucked me out of the story and didn't really seem to fit.
The acting also plays a big part in successes of the plot. The dialog between the main characters doesn't always sound natural, but it contributes to the atmosphere of the film. The characters do not talk as a normal child would, with lots of emotion and without much thought, but speak in a withdrawn and calculated way. The cinematography is excellent: each shot appears carefully planned. A visual theme that particularly caught my attention is the repeated use of binoculars, conveying Suzy as someone who is watching others from the outside, isolating herself. A tracking shot through Suzy's house conveys the separation of the family.
In summary, this is an excellent film and a must-see for viewers who enjoy an endearing journey with engaging visual storytelling.