Wes Anderson’s newest film from Searchlight Pictures, The French Dispatch, is not for the easily distracted. When I saw the previews for this movie, I knew I couldn’t wait to see it. I was sent a digital copy to review, so let’s get started!
About The French Dispatch
Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in the fictional 20th-century French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. With an all-star cast that includes Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, this vibrant film is a funny, moving celebration of journalism.
If you have seen any other Wes Anderson films (The Royal Tennenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel), you know you cannot look away for a moment. You may even need to rewatch the film a few times. I can assure you, The French Dispatch is no different. The movie is a collection of three different stories, all of which are extremely high-speed interesting. I can admit I paused and went back several times because I was certain I had missed something. I am definitely grateful that I watched this at home as opposed to seeing it at the theater. This is a watch and rewatch sort of movie.
The cast of The French Dispatch is could not have been more spot-on. These actors have their special characteristics that fit the into the roles perfectly. My only complaint? I wish Bill Murray’s role(editor Arthur Howitzer, Jr) had been a bit expanded. But, I promise there are enough talented actors in this film to make up for the lack of enough Bill Murray.
The visual aspect of The French Dispatch is something to talk about. Wes Anderson is well known for his visual aesthetic. Since the premise of “The French Dispatch,” the publication, is set between 1925-1975 in France, the scenes are authentic, giving a peaceful aura to the storytelling. When the story is centered in the offices, the set is colorful and whimsical, giving you a calm feeling. While the stories are being told by their respective reporters, the film jumps from color into black and white, and sometimes even animated, giving it a vintage, French vibe.
The stories told in The French Dispatch are articles that are ready to be published and are told to us by the authors themselves, three of Howitzer’s best writers. The stories are ambiguous, and definitely high speed. While I would love to tell you more about The French Dispatch, I must watch it again! I almost did not recognize who Henry Winkler was in the movie! Have you seen French Dispatch yet? I’d love to know what your favorite story was! Add The French Dispatch to your collection now on Digital and on Blu-ray and DVD.
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
