the only living boy in New York

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2012)

The feeling evoked in the corny but moving Dead Poets Society is also present in Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson's best film to date. It's a nostalgia and also a deeply felt rebellion against sadness, in favor of the individual.
The subtle work here is tempered by flippant deadpan humor and hint of fantasy in the events portrayed. It's the way you remember the crazy ideas you had as a kid and the ruthless pursuit of your plans, weird and dangerous plans, but a matter of life and death to you at the time; like the need for something, however small, when you're drunk; the uninhibited desire or obsession that spirals out of control.
Two weird young kids elope. That's the story. Again, as in The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore there's more than a wink towards Salinger's heroes.
The whole film is a delight. It's funny moving and divine. Anderson has got to what he was trying to express and nailed it here.
Bruce Willis and Edward Norton are particularly brilliant. This is really a fairy tale in essence. A fairy tale for weird awkward quirky kids.
My favorite part is how, in a year full of superhero movies, Suzy's binoculars become the most moving superpower on film: the downbeat confession is priceless.
See this film if you haven't yet, it's a gem.