Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Director Wes Anderson

When director Wes Anderson hit American cinema screens with his critically acclaimed debut Bottle Rocket, it heralded the arrival of a singular new talent. Among his early fans was Martin Scorsese, who wrote in Esquire magazine, “He knows how to convey the simple joys and interactions between people so well and with such richness. This kind of sensibility is rare in movies.” In his newest film Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson delivers a wonderfully droll yet touching comedy filtered through his own unique vision. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, it tells the story of Suzy and Sam, two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As a violent storm begins to brew off shore, various authorities begin a frenzied search, including Suzy’s parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray), Sam’s summer camp troop led by Ward (Edward Norton), and the local sheriff (Bruce Willis). Full of Anderson’s trademark dry wit and color-coordinated formalism, Moonrise Kingdom is a sweet, nostalgic romp that will bring out the kid in all of us. - Seattle International Film Festival 2012