I had a long list of films to watch for 2020. There are quite a few which are still to materialise, so I was just full of delight when The French Dispatch finally received a release date. Stepping into the auditorium brandishing my ticket for this eagerly awaited film was really quite a moment.
I always get excited about going to the cinema. Ever since I was a teenager and queued up round the block to get in at the ABC/Cannon Cinema in Norwich in the late 80s/early 90s. It's always seemed magical. That feeling has never changed and now even more so since we had the dark days of closed cinemas. I would have been excited before but now we've been through the strange days of Covid, it feels so special. I still feel very lucky to be back at the cinema. Not only because I missed it so much during the pandemic - it's my way to completely switch off and escape to another world - but also because I know there are still many people who can't go or are understandably hesitant about going too. So getting back into that dark auditorium, I appreciate it so much and I feel like a teenager excitedly waiting, hoping to get a seat in the days before the multiplex!
Back to Wes.
If you like Wes Anderson, well, just being exactly that, then you will love this. It's difficult to describe really, it's obviously quirky, off-beat, funny, beautiful, unusual, dramatic and unexpected. The comedy timing is absolutely second to none - there are a lot of funny lines where the timing is so unusual but perfect, that in itself makes the line funnier. In some scenes I couldn't stop laughing because the timing had caught me completely off guard. It's of course very wordy, but this is the reason for seeing this type of film. It's a change from big special effects and chases (although there is a fantastic chase in this). Visually there is so much to take in. Scenes are in colour, black and white, some animation, different framing. It's a feast for the senses and just beautifully done. Needs a few re-watches. The stories which are making up the final issue of 'The French Dispatch' are so engaging that you don't actually want it to stop, well I didn't.
I've seen some reviews where it's not on the level of 'Budapest Hotel' for example and to be fair, it would have to go some to beat that masterpiece, however, this is great but in a very different way and of course, very very very, Wes! That's what's so special. I think we all came out of the cinema grinning, having had the best time. Highly recommended.
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