Don't make me cry!

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2012)

In a good way.
I've been a long-time Wes Anderson fan but this was even better than I could have hoped.
The camera work was nothing less than masterful and beautiful (peppered with a few "blah" shots). That alone earns 7 of the 9 points. Everything was so colorful, interesting and detailed.
The storytelling was original with quirky and interesting characters.
Dialogue was generally good but not quite up to expectations. It didn't have that snap.
Even Bruce Willis was good. He does John McClain well but I've been surprised how bad he is in other films. (He said in an interview that he likes acting but isn't very good. I concur.)
Actually everything was so overwhelmingly good I would start with 12 out of 10.
But then 3 points off for the following:
I didn't click into the melodramatic delivery at first. It wasn't quite up to a Hal Hartley mastery of such.
Bill Murray and Francis McDormand with kids that young? Uhm......no.
Most of the kid actors were not very good. There are good kid actors out there but Mr. Anderson managed to find some of the worst. Don't get me wrong. As written, the characters were engaging. But the two leads were bland and the boy muddled many of his lines.
And for those who have seen them, the scenes when the two kids kissed and embraced were uncomfortable. Even in their underwear it was a bit much for me. Do kids fool around with kids? Sure. It's natural. But I wouldn't want my kid to do those scenes. (If I even knew where they were. Probably out drinkin'.)
But don't wait for DVD. This is worth payin' your good money for.