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I collect movie stubs. Over the last 6 years, I've acquired close to 200 from the Cedar Lee

Moonrise Kingdom, Oh Young Love

Remember your first crush in junior high school (maybe it was elementary school). At the time, it wasn't a crush, was it? You really thought ... No! Knew it was love! Moonrise Kingdom is about two such youths Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward). They're misfits in their own weird way. Sam is an orphan, Suzy a rebel in a typical American family. They acquaint themselves as pen pals and decide to meet after eloping from their respective summer vacations. While they're on the run, he cooks her a piece of grilled fish and she reads him a book at bedtime. As their relationship blossoms, a hunt for them ensues. 

Moonrise Kingdom is a Wes Anderson film through and through - the quirky humor, the deadpan humor, and amidst the humor a more sincere theme will rear its head. Trust Wes Anderson to come up with metaphors which might distract you long after you've left the theater. Sample this: the house that Suzy lives in is called Summer's End, she owns a book titled Disappearance of the 6th Grade, her parents own a book titled Coping with a Troubled Child. Good luck finding those books on Amazon by the way! 

In terms of acting, the film clearly belongs to Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward. Of the established cast, it's good to see Bruce Willis (Captain Sharp) not beating the crap out of someone. The rest of the cast have their moments too. 

Watch it if you liked: other Wes Anderson movies

Check it out at the Cedar Lee!

Michelle Simakis

10:05 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Thanks for sharing this review, Pratik! What did everybody else think about the movie?

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Morgan Day

3:54 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Loved it! Couldn't help but giggle over Suzy hiking in "Sunday school shoes."

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Nikki Ferrell

4:10 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I adored it - laughed out loud several times!

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Amanda Harnocz

4:52 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I can't believe all my friends saw it without me. haha I plan on going soon! Nice blog Pratik!

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Michelle Simakis

5:07 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Haha I haven't seen it yet! I planned on going last night but didn't make it.

Pratik Patel

5:05 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Thank you Amanda. It's too bad your friends saw it without you. I'm sure they wouldn't mind watching it a second time with you.

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Kaye Spector

6:04 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I would definitely see it again. Congrats on the blog, Pratik! Look forward to reading more.

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Jason Lea

6:41 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Hi Pratik, I run hot and cold with Wes Anderson but I liked Royal Tenenbaums and loved The Fantastic Mr. Fox. However, I do think he has a habit of being a bit too precious.

With all that having been said, do you think Moonrise would appeal to the fairweather Anderson fan?

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Pratik Patel

12:55 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Kaye: Thank you.
Jason: I'm not that big a fan of Wes Anderson myself. I could not finish watching Royal Tenenbaums. I practically slept through Darjeeling Limited. Fantastic Mr. Fox was mostly good (especially "what the cuss"). I thought Moonrise Kingdom was better than all of the above.

Again, I'm no Wes Anderson expert. I just watch movies. And this one was a fun watch.

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Kaye Spector

10:31 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Guess this could make me a Wes Anderson fan bc I loved the Royal Tenenbaums. Have not seen the others. I like the strong choices he makes with exposition: the show-me-dont-tell me types of shots.

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