If it has deadpan comedy, neatly constructed scenes and Bill Murray, there’s a high probability that it’s a Wes Anderson film.
For the remainder of March, The Loft Cinema is screening “The Life Cinematic With Wes Anderson: A Retrospective” in celebration of the director’s most recent film, released earlier this month.
“We had always wanted to show a Wes Anderson retrospective, and it’s good timing now with his new film that just came out: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel,’” Jeff Yanc said. “A lot of us here at The Loft really like Wes Anderson, though; we’re excited about doing the screenings.”
Six of the director’s eight films, known for their highly stylized characters, costumes, music and details, will be shown in addition to a special collection of shorts. The series began Wednesday and continues through the remainder of March and beginning of April.
“What I always notice and like about Wes Anderson is that his films don’t look like anyone else’s films,” said Yanc, program director of The Loft Cinema. “When you see one of his films, you immediately know it’s his.”
The films will not take to the big screen in chronological order. Yanc said that The Loft Cinema decided to start with Anderson’s first film, “Bottle Rocket,” and follow with his more popular films on Saturday nights.
“Moonrise Kingdom” (2012), Saturday
A quirky comedy that tells the romance of Sam and Suzy, 12-year-olds in 1965 who escape the structure of routine to create their own life together in the wilderness. A turbulent storm off of the New England coast disrupts a search group of parents and scout leaders as they track down the adolescent couple.
The film is recognized for its emotional honesty and character development, and it won the 2012 American Film Institute Award for Movie of the Year.
“Wes Anderson’s Odds & Ends,” March 19
These short films, commercials, film outtakes and other collections from the Anderson archives showcase the director’s notorious quirks and attention to detail.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009), March 22 and March 23
The story idea for this stop-motion animated comedy is taken from Roald Dahl’s children’s novel. The well-dressed, adventure-driven Mr. Fox tries to balance his family life with the temptation of raiding his neighbor’s chicken farm. George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon and Murray contribute to the all-star vocal cast.
“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (2004), March 26
This film exemplifies Anderson’s straight-man style of comedy and meticulous costume design. An internationally known oceanographer (Murray) journeys with his team underwater looking for the mysterious “jaguar shark” that killed his documentary partner.
“The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001), March 29
“The Royal Tenenbaums” shows the quirky mishaps and relationships of impressively successful siblings Chas (Ben Stiller), Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Richie (Luke Wilson) during a family reunion. Gene Hackman won a Golden Globe for his performance as head of the dysfunctional Tenenbaum family.
“Rushmore” (1998), April 3
In Anderson’s second film, a first-grade teacher inadvertently disrupts the friendship between a talented prep school 10th-grader and a self-made millionaire. This film blends elements from screwball comedy and French New Wave to show the odd journeys of adolescence.
