Delightful movie that celebrates first love and human kindness

Rating: 10/10 (18 January 2019)

I caught "Moonrise Kingdom" on my on-demand service, and I selected this movie because I enjoyed some of Wes Anderson's earlier films, such as "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums." This film's themes, characterizations, music, and whimsical, somewhat surreal visual elements are familiar if you've seen other Anderson movies. (He must have a fantastic record collection, and I do mean vinyl records.) In "Moonrise Kingdom," Anderson presents, mostly through the two young leads, the joy and agony of being an adolescent at odds with society and authority, and totally in love for the first time. Both awkward and confident at the same time, Sam and Suzy are unhappy at home for various reasons, and struggle to make friends, but after a chance meeting, forge a bond through letters. (It's set in the 1960s and makes you wish we'd all write letters to each other again.) "Moonrise Kingdom" is full of big-name stars having a grand time in their roles, with plenty of action, wicked satire and whip-quick dialogue, as well as a beautiful New England island setting. There are also some excellent young actors in the roles of Sam's fellow boy scouts, a subversive crew of fun-loving smart-alecks. But the two lead actors are the film's prize: fresh, unaffected, shy and restrained at times, and passionate. Suspend your cynicism and just enjoy "Moonrise Kingdom."