A character known only as Social Services ( Tilda Swinton) gets involved, because as an orphan, Sam is of special interest.Īnderson always fills his films with colors, never garish but usually definite and active. Scoutmaster Ward ( Edward Norton) leads Sam's fellow Scouts, who were not terrifically fond of the way he seemed to take the troop with less than utter dedication. Suzy's parents call in the police, led by Capt. Meanwhile, the adult world has launched a worried search for them. Here they make their camp, which a Scout leader is later to tell Sam is 'the best-pitched camp I have ever seen.' And here, as they sit side by side and look out over the water, in a sense they regard the passage of innocence and the disturbing possibility of maturity.

Sam has come prepared with maps for their trek, and they follow an old Indian trail to a secluded cove which they name Moonrise Kingdom. It is not a large island, but they think it must have a place where they can hide out. Next year they will be too old for such irresponsibility. Even Sam and Suzy, sharing the experience of a lifetime, seem aware that this will be their last summer for such an adventure. In Anderson's films, there is a sort of resignation to the underlying melancholy of the world he is the only American director I can think of whose work reflects the Japanese concept mono no aware, which describes a wistfulness about the transience of things. You can't easily imagine Murray playing a manic or a cut-up his eyes, which have always been old eyes, look upon the world and waver between concern and disappointment. Murray is always right for a role in an Anderson film, and I wonder if it's because they share a bemused sadness. In 'Moonrise Kingdom,' he plays Walt Bishop, Suzy's father, and Frances McDormand is her mother. He has worked in the last five of Anderson's six films. When they have their long-planned secret rendezvous in a meadow on the island, Sam is burdened with all the camping and survival gear they will possibly need, and Suzy has provided for herself some books to read, her kitten and a portable 45 rpm record player with extra batteries.īecause this is a Wes Anderson film, you know Bill Murray will appear in it. Suzy ( Kara Hayward) is bookish, a dreamer. Sam ( Jared Gilman) is an orphan, solemn behind oversized eyeglasses, an expert in scouting.

Moon rise kingdom