BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) START
Wes Anderson made friends with Owen and Luke Wilson early in his filmmaking life. He and Owen co-wrote a short movie called “Bottle Rocket” in the very early 90’s. It was dry little comedy project that ended up getting their collective feet in the door. The short got them signed. They were then given a meager budget to remake “Bottle Rocket” for a bigger market. This led to acclaim and attention from all the right people. Martin Scoresese even praised this movie in a magazine article back in the day. From here, Anderson was clearly making his mark.
(THREE) MUSIC
Great soundtracks. The Life Aquatic soundtrack features covers of Davie Bowie songs. He often uses songs by The Rolling Stones. Besides The Darjeeling Limited, all of the music in these movies is composed by the awesome Mark Mothersbaugh. The soundtracks to Rushmore, Life Aquatic, and Tenebaums are great collections. It’s too often than a great looking film will stray towards commercial drivel because the filmmaker can’t be bothered. Not Anderson.
(TWO) HIS RECCURING CREW
Wes Anderson has his own crew of talent. He came up with Luke and Owen Wilson, but over the years has continued to work with mostly the same group. Who can blame him? He has worked with Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Jason Schwartzman, and people of that level over and over again. He finds ways to make these people entertaining and fresh every time. I’m a fan of pretty much everyone Wes Anderson has cast and I have a hard time thinking of anything anyone has done on par with these movies. I mean sure, Mr. Murray has his slew of iconic hits, but his work with Anderson stands out as a whole different thing. It doesn’t end with the actors. He works with the same writers and music people too. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
(ONE) STYLE & SUBSTANCE
The Wes Anderson style has become something no one can really touch. Visually, it has the grit of a good indie, but the elaborate visual of an old classic. He fills the screen with color and interest. The camera movement is swift and bold. He takes chances that never feel risky as they come off so natural. His writing style seems to stick to a few themes. The main theme seems to be issues with family and battling the feeling of being an outsider within a contained world. He makes movies about human nature, but all of the movies have a similar vibe to it. A certain neediness meets playfulness, a certain love, a certain dignified fear. I’ll just say it; the dude creates two hour worlds, not two hour movies. He’s one of the best.
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