Wes Anderson New England Analysis

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Wes Anderson is a film director whose work is distinguished by his masterful use of common motifs that seem out of place in today’s films. His most common motifs are color palates, familiar actors, centering of the shot, symmetry, kitschy houses, and most commonly – nostalgia. It is the use of nostalgia that is perhaps the most impactful theme in all of Wes Anderson’s films. This theme of nostalgia is particularly evident in his 2012 film, Moonrise Kingdom. Moonrise Kingdom is a Indy coming-of-age tale about 12-year-old old orphan Sam Shakusky’s romantic adventure with 12-year-old Suzy Bishop. As they attempt to escape their New England town, this results in a local search party by the adults and Sam’s Khaki Scout troop. Although the film supposedly takes place in 1965, the film feels as if it is meant for much more contemporary. Nostalgia is also one of the main motifs of Moonrise Kingdom. Wes Anderson invokes this universally felt sense …show more content…
The two main characters, Suzy and Sam, have only one “childish” moment in the film when they suck on rocks to quench their thirst. Choosing, after a comical moment, to instead drink water they brought. In contrast to the very mature and romantic nature of young Suzy and Sam’s relationship we have Suzy’s parents’ relationship. Suzy’s parents, Laura and Walt, are married lawyers who refer to each other “counselor”, use a bullhorn to communicate, and sleep in two different beds. Cross-examining each other on the outcomes of their individual cases throughout the movie, while outwardly covering for a clearly unstable marriage. Throughout Moonrise Kingdom it’s difficult to figure out who really is more mature. Sam and Suzy, who run away, so sure of what they want out of life. Or the adults, who seem to fight the whole film for any semblance of connection and happiness in lives that seem so beyond their