Moonrise Kingdom is charming!

Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson

I was able to see Moonrise Kingdom this past weekend and it was charming! What a perfect summer movie. No matter what your age, as long as you are over the age of 12, this will take you back to that awkward age where you feel on the cusp of adulthood but no one takes you seriously.

Penpals and outsiders Suzy and Sam

Suzy and Sam are both going through their own version of pre-teen angst. Sam is an orphan, growing up in a foster home for boys and Suzy has a couple of dysfunctional lawyer parents who are unable to help her through those difficult years. They become pen-pals and run away together to live off the land. A cute pretext but it is what Wes Anderson does with it which makes it special.

Edward Norton as Khaki Scout Master Ward

The cinematography gives it a vintage feel (I swear they added scratch lines across the frames to make it look like an old reel). And the set decoration and costumes are magical. Vintage 1965!

Moonrise Kingdom supporting cast

Just look at the supporting cast. Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and Bruce Willis are all at their comedic best and yet touching at the same time as adults who have lost their way. Newcomers Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman as Suzy and Sam are wonderfully innocent and spit out the wacky lines in a deadpan manner which really works.

Suzy on the lighthouse

So go and see this one. It is quirky, you won't be able to predict where it is going next and it has a happy ending. That is all you need to know before you go and see it.

And please come back here and tell us all how you liked it. Cheers!