A beautifully funny little film and one of my favourite Wes Anderson features, Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson, 2012) is an immensely whimsical and emotive coming-of-age film, the plot follows two twelve-year-olds Suzy and Sam (played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love and make a secret pact to run away together into the wilderness. As they are searched for the peaceful community is gradually turned upside down in many ways. The film showcases Wes Anderson’s signature style and aesthetic. The specific colour palette Anderson uses adds to this specific style and aesthetic, alongside adding to the idea that Anderson fits in with those included in the auteur theory (Bazin and Astruc), the idea directors have specific style, and it is noticeable within each film made by the director.

The themes Anderson employs throughout the film come together to help showcase the absurdity of adult life and the idea of young love and innocence. As the story is told from Sam and Suzy’s perspectives it highlights their distance from the adults within the film as Anderson often shows adults as inept, confused, and emotionally distanced. This emphasises the confusing and complex nature of adult relationships and highlighting how the misunderstanding and lack of communication can lead to dysfunction. Furthermore, the family dynamics represented in the film further add to the idea of dysfunction alongside illustrating the difficulties of familial love and expectations. As Sam is an orphan it becomes clear the familial expectations placed upon him that he will find a family and be happy with them. Contrasting Sam’s relationship with the idea of family is Suzy, although she has both parents there is a lack of connection and understanding between the three of them. Her decision to run away with Sam circles back to her desire for autonomy and independence, leading her to desire a life where she is understood. The journey Sam and Suzy embark on is one of self-discovery and a rite of passage as they navigate their identities and emotions. Anderson is able to capture the essence of growing up with all the trials and tribulations that come with the experience, overall suggesting that personal growth often comes with adventure and self-discovery. As the film is set in the 1960’s it evokes a sense of nostalgia and simpler times, Anderson is able to showcase this through his evocative use of visual style. The use of storytelling promotes reflection on innocence and the passing of time.

The visual style used in Moonrise Kingdom is integral to the storytelling, helping to create an immersive visual experience that successfully complements the film’s themes of love, adventure, and the innocence of childhood. The vibrant colour palette is example of this, the use of the bright and pastel colour palette featuring soft pinks, yellows, greens and blues. The specific combination evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence, this emphasis the whimsical atmosphere alongside highlighting the emotional tones of the story. This is further showcased in the in the intricately designed sets, they often represent dioramas or miniature models. Specifically, the island’s forest’s and beaches are encoded with a stylized charm that adds to the film’s fairytale quality. Furthermore,  the film’s outdoor scenes showcase lush natural landscapes, this creates vivid contrast to the structured and confined spaces that are the character’s homes. This juxtaposition highlights the newfound freedom Suzy and Sam have as they explore the island. The cinematography used employs a wide use of wide shots and close-ups. The focus on character’s expressions and interactions, the smooth camera movement adding to the storybook feel. Anderson also frequently employs a tracking shot to follow the characters creating a sense of fluidity in their movements alongside creating a sense of alignment.

The characterization of in Moonrise Kingdom is rich and nuanced, each character serving to highlight a different theme within the film. Sam Shakusky’s desire to run away with Suzy highlights his yearning for connection and adventure alongside a deep sense of love and loyalty towards Suzy. His character embodies the innocence of childhood alongside desire for independence. Furthermore, Suzy Bishop’s creativity and desire to escape her home with Sam highlights the struggles of growing up and the search for identity within the midst of family chaos. The interactions between these two characters highlight the film’s exploration of love and connection. Suzy and Sam’s relationship serves as a beacon of hope amongst the confusion of the adult world, this further differentiates their relationship to the connections shared by the adults as it allows the audience to reflect on the complexities of love and the innocence of youth as they are starkly contrasted with the complexities and failures of the adult relationships.