The purity of young love is a wonderful thing

Rating: 9/10 (3 October 2012)

Moonrise Kingdom is an American film directed by Wes Anderson, who co-wrote the the script with Roman Coppola. It's set on a pastoral Island of New England called New Penzance in the year 1965.
Incorporating Anderson's signature style of deliberate, methodical cinematography and lush tones the film explores the theme of young love set against the backdrop of an eccentric cast of characters and Arcadian locations.
Twelve year old orphan Sam Shakusky disappears from the "Khaki Scout" summer camp, much to the chagrin of its leader, Scout Master Ward, and less so of his peers who find him to be a capricious sort and a Island wide search is put into place. Suzy Bishop, a deeply stoical young lady who lives with her parents and three siblings is the Juliet to Sams Romeo. The previous summer the pair met an subsequently became pen pals, through their correspondence they hatch a plan to reunite the following summer and run away together. Utilizing Sam's keen skills learnt as a scout they ambulate the Islands country side with the aim of reaching a secluded cove that they wistfully name Moonrise Kingdom.
The film is headed by an ensemble cast of veritable A-listers including Bruce Willis, as the Islands police captain, Ed Norton, who plays the fastidious scout master, as well as Bill Murray and Frances McDormand who play Suzy's lawyer parents. The list goes on, Harvey Keitel crops up, Jason Schwartzman appears for a hilarious turn, but it's the films protagonists Sam and Suzy, played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward that quite literally steal the show. Their controlled performances are mature far beyond their years, and the pathos they bring to the roles are simply astonishing. Wes Anderson manages to extract an incredible enactment of young love and precocious sentiments from the two fledgling actors. Fans of Anderson will not be disappointed, this film incorporates all the trademark quirkiness and whimsy that have made him popular amidst film lovers. From the excellent script and funny dialogue, to the wistful setting and outstanding cinematography, as well as fine turns from all actors involved, this film is a joy to watch and an incredibly sweet tale of burgeoning love between two adolescent outcasts who find solace in one anothers company.
It also demonstrates the power of empathy and the need to belong and the importance of learning to overlook ones prejudices and preconception in others. A truly delightful piece with virtually zero flaws. See it now!