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Can
you walk into a movie theatre, park your logic at the door, and accept
that a boy could be struck directly with lightning and just wind up with
a dirty face and clothes? Do you think a 12 year old boy, not 15-16,
would listen to a 12 year old girl describe a French kiss and ask for
one without his going “UGH!”? Maybe “Moonrise Kingdom” is for you if you
can sit back, relax and think both happenings are rational.
Wes
Anderson directed, and co-wrote with Roman Coppola, this story of Sam
(Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward), 2 twelve year olds who have an
innocent romance. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs, Bishop (Bill Murray and
Frances McDormand) have 3 other children, boys who appear to be triplets
from their actions, all who seem apart from their daughter and sister.
The adults in Sam’s life such as the foster parents who do not want him
anymore, the social service (Tilda Swinton) worker who is determined to
put him in detention and Sam’s Khaki Scoutmaster (Edward Norton) work
against him while Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), the local sheriff, seems
to be the only adult who cares for and about the boy. The other Khaki
Scouts, boys Sam and Suzy’s age, are, at first, against them and then
try to help the young couple.
Jared
Gilman and Kara Hayward are exceptional as the leads, the outsiders,
while Willis and Norton, along with Bob Balaban as the narrator, add
heft to the film. Frances McDormand really doesn’t bring anything to the
part of the mother while it is time for Tilda Swinton to change her
hairstyle! I never have understood the appeal of Bill Murray and his
hang dog bull terrier look in every movie but I know he has a big
following.
There
are a lot of illogical things happening in “Moonrise Kingdom” that in a
sense make it a fantasy but I had the feeling this would be a lot
better on a small TV screen than it comes across on the big movie screen
in spite of the gorgeous Rhode Island scenery.
Thank you again for the review.I will pass on this.