The French Dispatch

When it comes to independent films, Wes Anderson is probably at the top of the list. He is the quintessential artist of quirky and extremely different. Most of Anderson's films are formatted in a droll and satirical way and while they are dramatic, they are laced with extremely powder dry comedy, and "The French Dispatch" is no exception. 

This is a love letter to journalists, including Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand), J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton), Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright) and Herbsaint Sazerac (Owen Wilson), set in an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch". This film is presented in a series of vignettes covering the different sections of the newspaper such politics, arts and entertainment, cooking, etc. These different writers tell their stories to their editor, Arthur Howitzer, Jr. (Bill Murray), so they can figure out what to leave in the story and what to eliminate. The stories are as diverse as they are creative in that the characters are amazingly problematic and insecure, and is a wonder how these characters can figure anything out in their lives. 

Others to round out the cast are Benicio Del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler, Adrien Brody as Julian Cadazio, Lea Seydoux as Simone, Timothee Chalamet as Zeffirelli, Lyna Khoudri as Juliette, Steve Park as Nescaffier, Mathieu Amalric as The Commissaire, Bob Balaban as Uncle Nick, Henry Winkler as Uncle Joe, Lois Smith as Uphur 'Maw' Clammette and Tony Revolori as Young Rosenthaler.

This was directed by the indie filmmaker of them all, Wes Anderson ("Bottle Rocket" '96, "Rushmore" '98, "The Royal Tenenbaums" '01, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" '04, "The Darjeeling Limited" '07, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" '09, "Moonrise Kingdom" '12, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" '14, "Isle of Dogs" '18) plus shorts and a video short. This director is the actors' filmmaker, which is probably why he uses a certain number of the same actors in many of his films. He truly knows how to extract that droll, almost deadpan quality from his actors. All of his films are similar in that element he uses of being droll--it's almost become his trademark. It was also well written by Anderson (see above list), based on a story by Anderson, Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness and Jason Schwartzman. When watching this, it can come across as confusing as the different sections don't seem to connect, but if you keep yourself attentive to the story, there is a subtle connection. Many of Anderson films are shot in similar ways replete with similar photography, Robert Yeoman asc., he has used many times, the sets in certain scenes are almost theater set looking and, of course, the satirical, droll powder dry comedy is evident in the films as well. If you like this director's brand of writing and directing, his "Asteroid City" is is post production for a 2022 release. 

Certainly if you are an Anderson die-hard fan, you will love this since it is golden Anderson, but even if not, this is a well crafted film. Don't get me wrong, this film isn't for the mass audience appeal, but if a powder dry, droll humor type of film is something you can sink your teeth into, you might give this a try.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                          Rated: R                                                  108mins.