As close to perfect as any film could be

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2012)

I must start out by saying that I adore Wes Anderson, he can do no wrong in my opinion. If you do not find his work intriguing, then by all means, do not see this film. The story is simple, it is a story about being young, falling in love, and living by your own rules, and in this case, no rules at all. I must say the two young actors were enchanting. The young lady (Hayward) embodied the disgruntled, angry 13 year old girl that I think all women can relate to. The young boy (Gilman) is alone, an orphan, yearning for love and compassion, which he happily seeks out and finds in Hayward. They run away, learn about each other, explore the world and the limits of their own youth and knowledge. Once caught, they begrudgingly return. The young woman, to a family she hates, wonderfully played by McDormand and Murrray. McDormand is in love with the police chief (Willis), or uses him as an emotional outlet. Willis leads all searches for these two as they run away, and you can see how his loneliness gives him a soft spot for Gilman. Murray is, yet again, the light that shines in all Anderson films. He is the definition of what acting is, he is every role he plays. Once the children are caught, the remaining khaki scouts (cute pun on boy scouts) realize that their hatred for the young Gilman is not the credo of their khaki scouts, they should be supporting him and his choices, which is exactly what they do. They assist him and his future wife to once again escape. They marry in a distant khaki scout camp, married by a hilarious Schwartzmann, who I wish wouldve had a larger role. But alas, they are again caught, where they retreat to the top of a church tower in a terrible storm. Right before they prepare to leap,Willis offers the young man a permanent home, with him. The newlyweds agree and happily return home. The film ends with the young groom leaping from her window secretly, with a promise to "see her tomorrow." I once again cannot say enough about how beautiful this film is. To be young, to be in love, to run away with no intention other than companionship, its simplicity is its brilliance.