.png)
Looking Through Wes Anderson's Lens
- News Nuggets Staff
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
Growing up, I certainly had my fair share of favorite movies, but I don't think ever appreciated them, and remember transitioning my sentiment toward actual films once I peered through through Wes Anderson's lens.
It was "The Grand Budapest Hotel" that drew me in. I mean, it's a great film; it was nominated for nine Oscars in 2015.
Anderson's work transcends the time periods viewers are currently set in, which is part of what makes him "an auteur," as noted by Stephen Michael Brown, Chief Film Critic at Silver Screen Capture.
In one scene, without giving away too much, the two main characters find themselves aboard a sleeper train in the year 1932 with a top and bottom bunk. Inside: there is also a tiny sink, an ordinary over-the-sink mirror, and a small circular swing-arm adjustable mirror. Above that sink, they have placed a very crucial possession, which is the driving factor throughout most of the film. With effortless precision, the first character (Monsieur Gustave) says something to the second character (Zero), who is snuggled up on the bunk above. Zero pops into perfect view in the tiny side mirror – a meticulously orchestrated detail that probably required numerous takes. It's a small, but captivating detail that I've continued to think about, even after watching the film year after year.
"Few film artists are more distinctive – [in regard to] works recognizable in a split second – than Wes Anderson!" Brown said via email. "There are roomfuls of incidental storylines from murders to jailbreaks, all meticulously crafted in signature manicured Anderson style," he then elaborated.
“[The Royal Tenenbaums] was the first movie I ‘met’ him [Wes Anderson] through,” Nicole Russin-McFarland, film score composer and actress, stated over email. “The story was all about what happens when you get blocked and need a mental push to move ahead. People have always been weird and Hollywood used to disguise that with perfect characters all the time. Wes Anderson is the antithesis…”
Another very common trend among Anderson's films is his exploration of complex relationships between family members and friends. He often highlights dysfunction and rejection, especially with the presence of an unusual or absent patriarch, a constant character that shows up in nearly every film. Anderson sets a weightier tone alongside the whimsy through the reflection of male role models or the lack thereof with his characters.
“His attention to detail is what I love most. You can tell that every frame of the film has been planned thoroughly and conveys a deeper meaning than just what you are seeing on-screen.” Said Neil Chase, screenwriter, actor, novelist, and story coach. “From his use of symmetry to countless 'Easter Eggs' and cameos, it is as visually pleasing as it is thematically resonant. There is a playful innocence to his characters and stories but he is always ready to pull the rug out from under you as a viewer, and deliver an emotional gut-punch that you didn't expect.”
Similar to my own taste, Chase’s favorite film is "The Grand Budapest Hotel". He notes Anderson’s use of “a diverse cast of well-known actors as well as newcomers.” By using a range of talent, while historically having showcased repeat (but loved) faces, it shows his willingness to include up-and-coming talent.
The tremendous amount of thought that goes into Anderson's distinct visual style, the symmetry, the charming and quirky characters, as well as the color palettes are remarkable. In addition to his inventive storytelling and sets, Anderson always incorporates eclectic soundtracks that complement his storylines.
So much so that yea, maybe I DO listen to "The Grand Budapest Hotel" soundtrack while I pick out lemons at the grocery store, it's transcending.
Wes Anderson's attention to detail demonstrates his commitment to visual excellence. Beyond aesthetics, Anderson explores complex relationships; and his willingness to blend well-known actors with fresh talent, coupled with thematic resonance and emotional depth, makes him stand out from the rest. His playful innocence, coupled with the readiness to deliver unexpected emotional punches creates a cinematic experience that goes beyond surface charm, leaving a long-lasting impact on viewers.
Comentários