The French Dispatch (2021)
I am still trying to find a Wes Anderson that I enjoy on the same level as Asteroid City - and while this comes somewhat closer, maybe it was more the 50s sci-fi setting of that I liked and less Wes Anderson. Anyways this movie has plenty of interesting things to offer, but an equal amount of elements that I didn’t engage with.
First of all, the anthology structure is well done and I think suited for Wes Anderson’s overall style and approach to film story telling. It allows for his unique style to go with a shorter story that doesn’t overstays its welcome. All segments had something going for them, but the tortured artist storyline worked best for me. It had the most humor, best performances and the most interesting message about the art world. Somehow it is both a mocking and an appreciation of the modern art world. All segments deals in their own way with idealists in some form and how society forces them to conform to normality in the end.
But even though it is not a long movie, I did struggle to keep my interest towards the end. The small animated sections helped a bit since those were incredible well done. While the switches between color and black and white works well, I personally felt the black and white sections were too long compared to what they had to offer in terms of style. I know it is just Wes Anderson’s directing style, but it also bothers me how everyone basically acts in the same stiff unemotional manner. There is very little individuality in his characters, and when it is there it is very restrained.
I might give one more Anderson movie a try, but otherwise need to take a longer break for now.
Rating: 3