Welcome to a movie that is not a movie. Of course, there are many movies like this, these things on film more monument than story, but so often those feel like mistakes, like stories that never started, while this is a movie that doesn't try, that simply pulls back a heavy red curtain to reveal something endlessly charming and somewhat tired, in every noble sense of that word. Bill Murray at his weary, deadpan best; Willem Dafoe as the boyish German; Owen Wilson with that nose again; Anjelica Huston looking like Iggy Pop in drag; Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum and Seu Jorge singing David Bowie in Portuguese. The sets alone are the stuff of little boy's dreams ... all sixties gadgetry and fantastical forts and all things miniature that fly and sail and slide underwater. What more do you want?
Welcome to a movie that is not a movie. Of course, there are many movies like this, these things on film more monument than story, but so often those feel like mistakes, like stories that never started, while this is a movie that doesn't try, that simply pulls back a heavy red curtain to reveal something endlessly charming and somewhat tired, in every noble sense of that word. Bill Murray at his weary, deadpan best; Willem Dafoe as the boyish German; Owen Wilson with that nose again; Anjelica Huston looking like Iggy Pop in drag; Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum and Seu Jorge singing David Bowie in Portuguese. The sets alone are the stuff of little boy's dreams ... all sixties gadgetry and fantastical forts and all things miniature that fly and sail and slide underwater. What more do you want?
That movie chokes me up at a very specific part, it's probably so generic that it does but it gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite Wes Anderson movie, but I do often listen to Seu Jorge's Bowie cover album.
ReplyDeleteThis of course, is not important at all, but just a way to let you know I read your post.
Um, I'm Jeannette, not Jon. I was logged into his account for very legitimate reasons, I promise.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight ... you and Jon are the same person?!?
ReplyDeletenothing. there is nothing more I could want. it's perfect
ReplyDeleteexcept that fish in the sandwich bag. I want that.
Would Owen Wilson still be Owen Wilson without that nose?
ReplyDeleteI guess he wouldn't. He'd just be Luke Wilson, and that would just be sad.
ReplyDeletei just loved all the light up control panel submarine stuff. i am still trying to create all this "control panel" stuff with my nephews. my sisters aren't interested so thankfully one of them gave me new friends who are. whew!
ReplyDelete