Despite the young
leads at its centre, this is a decidedly adult film. In fact, for all the
Andersonion whimsy that surrounds them, it’s difficult to recall a film in
which two children have been so utterly – most probably clinically – depressed.
Suzy and Sam are less teens than troubled grown-ups in microcosm. It’s easy to imagine
them as younger versions of characters from other Anderson films; Suzy, for instance,
might easily grow up to be wistful, unsmiling Margot from The Royal Tenanbaums. Or perhaps they’d grow up to be Wes Anderson,
who grew up in Texas in the ’70s, but nevertheless populated this film with
references from his childhood.
The worlds
Anderson creates are so fascinating that it’s possible to simply sit back and
admire the little details. Why would think of pairing Benjamin Britten and Hank
Williams on a soundtrack? Is the lightning storm at the end deliberately made
to look like colourised early film? The best thing about Moonrise Kingdom
is that even if you don’t care about questions like these, there’s a good chance
you’ll still be moved by the sweet, sad story of two kids, wise beyond their
years, trying to escape their mixed-up lives. Watch out for Willis, supremely
gentle and moving. The DVD has a solitary extra called “A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom”;
it’s a very, very brief look.
This review appeared in Time Out Delhi.
