Wes Anderson - The Same Great Story. Twice.
I have an idea for a movie. It’s a story about this upper-middle aged guy who has run out of luck. He’s on his way to the typical crash-and-burn and he insists on behaving the way he did when he was young. He’s still charming, but can’t really rely on his charm anymore to get him everything he wants.
He’s alienated his entire family and the people that love him. However, he’s emotionally moved when they stand by him regardless of his deplorable behavior. We follow his journey as he passes through the final stages of his selfish existence and subsequent (mostly undeserved) salvation until he emerges a more reliable, affectionate, and sympathetic character. Thrown in for good measure we’ll have; a climactic scene where he’s unexpectedly heroic, a touching moment where we get a vision into what made him the way he is, and heavy symbolism utilizing the sweetness of children to contrast the cynicism of the main character and highlight his return to a less jaded, more useful man.
Also the story will have a cast of motley side-characters, and ‘free the animal within’ symbolism.
What do you think? Have you seen that story? Actually, you have. Twice. Both times the author was Wes Anderson.
The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic both have the same basic character development. Essentially they are the same story in different settings and circumstances. However, don’t misunderstand me, they are both brilliant in their own right.
If there’s anything that Anderson can do correctly it’s cast. The cast in both films is superb and are masters at character development and interaction. Both films contain evocative soundtracks and plot twists that are unexpected and underscore the internal struggle the lead character endures.
Each contain loss and end with haunting, cynical beauty; where the world is not perfect, but it’s a world that turns out to be much more wonderful than the lead character was expecting.
I own The Royal Tenenbaums on DVD and I highly recommend the rental. It’s the stronger movie of the two and will give you a clear idea about whether or not you’re in to Anderson’s style.
You will like these movies if:
You enjoy character development as much or more than plot development You enjoy the spoken word and what pauses, stutters, and language choices mean You understand the off-hand, self deprecating comedy genius of Bill Murray You enjoy the gruff detail work of Gene Hackman You don’t mind pauses in movies; quiet moments, such as you’ll find in The Big Night You are not put off by a little silliness, a suspension of disbelief You are comfortable with the ambiguity of life. Comfortable with the idea that good things can happen simultaneously with bad things. And while the music may never swell to the perfect kiss and fade to black, at the end of the day we can look at the way life has developed, measure the good against the bad, and figure that in spite of losses we’ve come out ahead.Willem Dafoe’s performance as the disaffected German, Klaus, in The Life Aquatic is a particular gem. There are moments when actors so effectively embody the people they are playing that you wouldn’t be surprised to run into them on the street. Klaus is one of those characters. It’s easy to believe that somewhere out in the world he actually exists.
Another surprisingly good performance in TLA was Bud Cort as Bill the Bond Company Stooge. Anderson was extremely careful not to make Bill a stereotype, and watching Bill and the rest of the cast interact is delightful. His smile in his very first scene had me laughing and loving him immediately. Bud was fantastic.
And, really, we’re talking Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Houston, Jeff Goldblum, Luke Wilson, and Gwyneth Paltrow (in a surprising role as a fairly unlikeable person). These are good actors, folks. Well worth watching.
Highlight quote from The Life Aquatic: Eleanor, Steve’s disaffected wife, is discussing the strangeness of a long-lost son appearing. She confides to Jane that she knows that Steve “shoots blanks”. She then confides that she doesn’t know why, “I think it’s because he’s spent half his life under water.”
Yes, that or, you know, he’s a complete pothead.
Alistair Hennessey: Is this my espresso machine? Wh-what is-h-how did you get my espresso machine?
Bill Ubell: Well… uh… we fuckin’ stole it, man.
Alistair Hennessey: You’re the most ravishing creature that I’ve ever seen in my life.
Eleanor Zissou: Hello Skinny.
Alistair Hennessey: Hello Eleanor.
Eleanor Zissou: Is that a new merit badge?
Alistair Hennessey: Oh, yeah, as a matter of fact it is. I just became a Knight in Portugal, the Presidente gave a special ball…
Steve Zissou: Don’t be nice to Ali, he’s my nemesis.
Highlight quote from The Royal Tenenbaums:
Chas: Can we read it?
Richie: No.
Chas: Can you paraphrase it for us?
Richie: I don’t think so.
Chas: Is it dark?
Richie: Of course it’s dark. It’s a suicide note.
Anderson’s only challenge in his next film is going to be to branch out with a new set of characters, challenges and circumstances. The stories in The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic are one and the same, yet each is worth watching. Anderson’s next film is going to have to be different or he’ll be known as a one (two three) hit wonder.
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POSTED IN: Performing Arts Reviews and Critiques
2 opinions for Wes Anderson - The Same Great Story. Twice.
Tammy
Aug 6, 2005 at 7:11 pm
I’m also reminded of a movie now…can’t remember the name…dang it…where 2 guys take a trip to the CA wine country before one of them gets married. Maybe I’m way off here.
Krissy
Aug 8, 2005 at 12:36 pm
You’re thinking of Sideways (http://www2.foxsearchlight….). But that wasn’t Wes, that was Alexander Payne. He also did About Schmitt, which was an excellent film as well.
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