If you love quirky and offbeat, you surely must be a fan of Wes Anderson. If there was ever a man who has a different view of the world to most filmmakers, it is he. His movies are weirdly wonderful – it’s sometimes as if Willy Wonka is in charge of the whole world. And surprisingly, although there is a signature bizarreness to all Wes Anderson movies, they are very different in subject matter. For fans, here’s a roundup and for newbies, these are the ones to watch.
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Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Anderson’s trademark whimsical and quirky style is on full show in this delightful coming of age comedy. Set in 1965 in New England, a pair of young sweethearts run away together, setting off a town search party full of weird and wonderful characters. A star-studded cast including many of Anderson’s favorites like Bill Murray and Ed Norton, Moonrise Kingdom is a film you will want to watch again and again.
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
This classic children’s tale was given the Wes Anderson treatment to amazing effect in 2009 when the director dabbled with stop motion animation. His style mixed with Roald Dahl’s timeless storytelling was a match made in heaven, and the voice talents of George Clooney and Meryl Streep, among others, made the film enjoyable for both children and adults.
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
My personal favorite in the Wes Anderson catalog, The Grand Budapest Hotel is as quirky and wacky as you would expect, but also contains a large amount of real heart that makes the movie so enjoyable. The story of a young bell boy and the legendary hotel concierge (Ralph Fiennes) whom he idolizes is filled with whimsical adventures and most importantly, truly funny set pieces. Look out for a sensational cameo from Tilda Swinton!
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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Rushmore (1998)
Rushmore was arguably the film that really put Anderson on the map as one of the most original and innovative filmmakers in the industry. Though the movie’s main character, Max Fischer, is totally unlikable and pretty much a total loser, there is something irresistibly cool about the film, from its emphasis on British '60s music to its core themes of unrequited love and big dreams. Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray give great performances too.
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
This quirky film about a separated couple with three genius children is almost impossible to try to explain! Two decades after the divorce, it appears as though all memory of the children’s brilliance has been erased by a family drama mixture of failure, disaster and betrayal. The film details an unexpected wintertime family reunion, and it really should not be missed!
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.
Bottle Rocket (1996)
It’s always good to experience a director’s career from the very beginning, and Wes Anderson's first feature film was 1996’s Bottle Rocket. The film tells the story of Anthony, who has just been released from a psychiatric hospital and proceeds to go on a wacky and ill judged crime spree with his friend Dignan. The only problem? The hapless pair soon realize that they know little to nothing about crime!
Buy at itunes.apple.com
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The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
The Darjeeling Limited sees three estranged brothers, played by Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody, reunite for an epic train trip across India. The brothers haven’t spoken in years and many old truths and tales come to the forefront in this classic Wes Anderson showcase of humor, stunning visuals and scenery and just a little touch of cathartic sorrow.
Buy at itunes.apple.com
Are you a fan? Which is your favorite?
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