Wes Anderson fans won’t want to miss this retro-futuristic and star-studded film.
The setting is in 1955, in a fictional desert town built in a crater made by a crashed meteorite close to the atomic test site that was used by Americans in World War Two.
The often unrecognisable ensemble cast includes Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, William Dafoe, Hong Chau, Margot Robbie, and Jeff Goldblum – most of whom have appeared in Anderson’s previous films.
Photojournalist Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) arrives in town (after his car has blown up) with his three daughters and brainiac son Woodrow (Jake Ryan) who is to get a prize at the Annual Junior Stargazer Space Cadet Convention.
Augie is having trouble explaining the death of his wife to his children, and has her remains in a Tupperware container. He phones his father in law Stanley (Tom Hanks) for help. Meantime the other children, parents and a teacher arrive, and also a cowboy band.
At the presentation things become complicated as the welcome by General Gibson (Jeffrey White) is suddenly interrupted by a UFO who steals the fragment of meteorite that created the crater, and the town is placed under military quarantine – and events become chaotic.
Award-winning Cinematographer Robert D Yeoman collaborated with Anderson, using colour palettes to highlight the set and costumes using anamorphic lenses, soft lighting and theatre-like composition, giving the film those distinctive visuals for which Andersons’s films are known.
Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel/ Moonrise Kingdom/ Isle of Dogs), who co-wrote the film with Roman Coppola is well-known for his quirky, visually captivating, amusing movies. Some would say his focus is on style rather than substance; if you like his style you will have lots of chuckles and enjoy this film.
105 minutes.
Showing at Luna Leederville, Windsor Nedlands, and Luna SX Fremantle from Thursday 10th August.
Watch the trailer…
