While working at the video rental store, Moonrise Kingdom was recommended to me by a regular. Whenever I saw Mike, he asked me "Have you viewed it yet?". My answer was always "No". This went on for years and I promised him I'd get to it eventually. One day, I was given a notice that the store would be closing. The owner was retiring, had sold the business to new entrepreneurs and they wouldn't be keeping my location open. My last shift was coming up so I finally got around to watching Moonrise Kingdom. I finally got to experience this funny, quirky, charming, completely unpredictable, and wholly original coming-of-age story. I was excited to share my thoughts with the meek little mustached man who seemed ever hopeful whenever he saw me… but he never showed up on that day! Maybe, somehow, this message will get to him and I'll be able to let him know how foolish I was to wait so long.
Set on New Penzance, an island of New England in 1965, the film begins when 12-year-old scout Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) runs away from Camp Ivanhoe, leaving behind a resignation letter to his leader, Scoutmaster Randy Ward (Edward Norton). As police captain Duffy Sharp (Bruce Willis) initiates a mad search, it's discovered the boy has run away to live in the wild with fellow runaway and pen pal Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward).
This film is a paradox. It’s simultaneously set in this world that seems off thanks to its larger-than-life characters and zany developments… but somehow feels absolutely real. It’s almost like a manifestation of a childhood memory. Maybe that’s why it works so well. It’s far-fetched but somehow… not. We know the people in this film. At some point or another, we've crossed paths. It's just that they've never all been together like this before, which throws you off initially. Once you get over that initial shock, you fall in love with them despite - or maybe because - of their flaws and the way that they can sometimes be mean to each other. In its own way, the film contains a full spectrum of emotions. Sometimes acidic, then very sweet and romantic, then funny or fanciful before switching into a mode that’s mature and reflective.
Moonrise Kingdom has such universal appeal it's easy to be enchanted by the story and gloss over the terrific visuals, performances, and score/soundtrack. So much is done with color, the framing/cinematography, and songs. You could watch this Wes Anderson project a dozen times and always notice something new. Every shot is interesting, even something as mundane as a map showing a journey is made dynamic. For this reason, I can’t decide if the film is inspirational or discouraging. Seeing a director achieving this level of artistry is almost intimidating. Scratch that. It is inspirational. Movies aren’t made by just one person, it’s a cumulative effort by artists and storytellers, actors, and technicians. Nobody has to do everything, you just have to be able to do SOMETHING and if there are this many people that are THIS talented out there, then it’s not an unattainable goal, it’s a reality.
Moonrise Kingdom is a masterpiece of filmmaking. It’s so warm, insightful, and hopeful you're forced to pause and reflect. I can’t believe it took me this long to make time for this one. Mike. If you're out there, I'm sorry. I feel like a jerk for taking this long to see Moonrise Kingdom. Hopefully, sharing my appreciation for it at least partially makes up for my grave mistake. (On Blu-ray, January 30, 2016)
